“Invasives” My latest short story, “Invasives,” is nearing publication in the third issue of Stone, Root, and Bone magazine from Hagstone Publishing. During her lunch break, Justine encounters a startling scene on the docks. She reflects on how she could have handled it, but dealing with invasive species is a tricky matter. Perhaps the riverContinue reading “Three Things Thursday: “Invasives,” a Giveaway, and Dandelion Cake”
Tag Archives: foraging
Friends with Weeds?
Like most Americans, I grew up hearing people moan about weeds. My grandmother, an avid gardener, was fussy. She didn’t want anything growing between the cracks of her sidewalk. When she still lived at home, she often poured boiling water over unwanted plants. Old fashioned, effective, relatively eco-friendly in terms of chemical use, but laborious.Continue reading “Friends with Weeds?”
Pagan Parenting: Harvesting Wild Grain at Lughnasadh
Each Lughnasadh, I strive to harvest some of the wild grain from the hedges. Not only is harvesting grain traditional at this time of year, but I save it so my protogrove has something with which to weave Brighid crosses during Imbolc, six months later. With the amount of snow we get in January andContinue reading “Pagan Parenting: Harvesting Wild Grain at Lughnasadh”
Working with Plants in Summer
The warm weather is here, and I’m working to improve my relationships with plants. I’m always learning about herbal properties, plant identification, methods of preservation, and various magical uses. My paternal grandmother started to teach me when I was little. She had a beautiful herb garden and apple trees at her home. Some of myContinue reading “Working with Plants in Summer”
Rowan Harvest
I harvested a lovely handful of rowan berries near the river this afternoon. Tomorrow I will thread and hang them to dry for magical talismans. I always look forward to rowan berries in August.
One Last Harvest?
I love autumn. The weather is exactly how I like it, the changing leaves are so inspiring, and the mosquitos and poison ivy are less of a concern when I take nature walks. I also really enjoy winter. Sweaters, hot cocoa, cooking hot dinners that warm the whole house up … Yet as An CailleachContinue reading “One Last Harvest?”
Unexpected Pineappleweed
Earlier I went out to lunch with my husband. We stopped in The Mustard Seed, a local health food store and cafe. We sat beneath a big poster displaying a variety of medicinal herbs. Weretoad asked if I had ever encountered chamomile in the wild and I said that I had not butContinue reading “Unexpected Pineappleweed”
Early Summer Greens on Toast
I hope everyone is enjoying their late spring/early summer. I certainly am! This time last year, I was the size of a blimp, waddling everywhere, and reluctant to wander far for fear of falling or making my back ache worse than it already was. Ah, the joys of third trimester pregnancy… My self-guided foraging and herbalismContinue reading “Early Summer Greens on Toast”
Dandelions In My Mouth!
Dandelions are my friends. They always have been. I’ve never understood the hatred some direct towards these most wonderful, helpful plants. Sure, we gardeners don’t want them crowding out our other plant allies, but we should accept and embrace their tenacity in our lawns. They are full of nutrients, possess healing qualities, and are entirely edible!Continue reading “Dandelions In My Mouth!”
Nature Awareness: Adventures in Foraging
I’m one of those people who reads multiple books at a time, and you can bet that at least one title I’m working through is about herbalism or foraging. I just started Backyard Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal. It’s a beautifully photographed guide featuring tips for identification,Continue reading “Nature Awareness: Adventures in Foraging”
Author M. A. Phillips 