countryhart

Day 201 Stop and Look 365Another great day doing my new favorite pastime; “foraging.” The reason I enjoy this so much is because I am out in nature. Like I have mentioned, autumn is my favorite season. There are many plants waiting to be harvested. Plus, no mosquitoes or pollen. Every walk is a new adventure or discovery. Today, we found walnuts and thistle. Walnuts are great for dyes, and thistle makes a nice tea. I am not trying to encourage you to become a forager. However, it is fun. But, maybe just taking a walk will greatly improve your disposition.

countryhart

Day 200 Stop and Look 365ForagingI have many different interests. Hubby sometimes wishes I would condense the list. But each one sparks joy in me. My newest one has been foraging. I really enjoy learning and hunting for medicinal plants.This means discovering the benefits of plants that can be found in the woods or even on the side of the road. My new discovery is goldenrod. It can treat things like: urinary tract infections, colds, allergies, and even the flu. Some people even put it in salads. There are many more uses you can discover for yourself. I found a bounty of goldenrod, and I am using it to make teas and tinctures. I think it’s wonderful that we have so many resources on this plant that can help us. We just need to protect the planet.

countryhart

Day 197 Stop and Look 365I have been exploring “staycation” destinations, so I thought I might share a few with you. This is the Great Dismal Swamp. It is on the border between Virginia and North Carolina. I first heard about the swamp when I read a book called Freewater. I highly recommend it. Slaves would escape to the swamp and live there. The children in the swamp never knew anything about slavery. The swamp is also an ecological paradise. There is every form of wildlife here from: eagles, beavers, ducks, and birds. Plus, there are so many varieties of trees and plants you can explore. But most importantly, you will marvel at how escaped slaves lived and formed a strong community here that flourished. If you live near the border of Virginia and North Carolina, this is definitely a Staycation Destination. If you don’t live in these states, this place is still worth visiting.