🌿Field Notes from Saturday's Herb Walk
Saturday morning found me parked at the Green Pond shelter around 10:30, water bottle in the cupholder, paper bags and clippers staged in my big black bag, chatting with a friend and watching the lot for cars that weren't quite sure they were coming. No RSVPs had landed, but a couple of "maybe's" were floating out there, so I waited. One car sat in the lot the whole time. One more drove past without stopping.
By 11:15, it was just me and the trail — and honestly? The trail didn't mind one bit.
The oaks stood like they always do, unbothered and ancient. The sweet gums dropped their spiky little reminders that they'd been busy all summer. Greenbrier had put out fresh tender shoots — I couldn't resist a nibble, and yes, it still tastes like spring even in September. Goldenrod hadn't opened yet, just tight green buds promising gold to come. Wax myrtle was busy too, holding onto little clusters of waxy berries. And magnolia stood quiet and glossy, the way it always does, like it's keeping a secret.
About twenty minutes in, the bugs found me, the sun found its heat, and my call time backstage found its way into my head — I stage manage and run the crew, and while I've trained them to handle just about anything, I still like to be there. So I turned around, said thank you to the trail, and headed off to go do my part.
No crowd this time. Just me, the plants, and a morning that asked for nothing but presence — which, honestly, might be the whole point.
There's always next month. Same trail, same shelter, same open invitation. The plants will be different by then, and so, probably, will I.
🗓️ Next Herb Walk: Second Saturday of the month, 11am–1pm, ACE Basin Greenway (Green Pond shelter). Pay-what-you-can — money, volunteering, questions, curiosity, all count. RSVP link in bio/Wix Events — even a "maybe" helps me know who to watch for.
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