Summer

Each and Every One

/ katemckinney79 / Leave a comment

This was taken on one of the most beautiful nights during a trip with my family around Ireland this summer. Before heading south, we spent a few days in Northern Ireland and walked along the lovely Ballycastle Beach, a slight curve of land made of many, many rocks and a strip of sand. On one end, the Glenshesk River meets the Atlantic, and at the other end, a boardwalk stretches over rocks that reach into the water. The waves were extremely calm that evening, and it being nearly the Summer Solstice, sunset came just after 10:00p.m. Rathlin Island can be seen in the distance (and although not shown in these photos, Scotland can also be viewed from the beach).

Ballycastle Beach, Northern Ireland

With so many rocks,
it could’ve been easy enough to ignore
their beauty,
to look over, look past,
step across
monotony,
but truly, so many rocks
made walking across in loose sandals
a slow task, and thankfully,
encouraged a moment’s pause,
because with a closer look
remarkable difference
became clear
each and every rock
piled on that beach
just another rock among many
became amazingly new
ancient
full of Story

Ballycastle Beach, Northern Ireland

Softened
by the waves of change
beautiful, unique,
each and every one
among many

Ballycastle Beach, Northern Ireland

Reaching out,
picking up one after another
allowed me the chance
to get closer to their stories
to know them
a little better

Ballycastle Beach, Northern Ireland

Holding each one in my hand
felt like holding a friend

Ballycastle Beach, Northern Ireland

a time to marvel

Ballycastle Beach, Northern Ireland

love

Ballycastle Beach, Northern Ireland

We are like these rocks—
we are one of many
each
and every one
softened by the waves of change
beautiful, unique
full of Story

What’s your Story?

Ballycastle Beach, Northern Ireland

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Drink Up the Last of Summer

/ katemckinney79 / Leave a comment

Wild Bergamot may be fading soon,

but Bumble Bee insists

there is still nectar to drink.

A swift breeze reminds me

autumn is coming

but not quite yet.

Cicadas still sing in the trees.

Sunlight shines through green leaves

and yellow petals

like stained glass.

Nature’s rain collector,

the leaves of Cup Plant,

invite birds and insects to come

take a sip.

And shadows shift

through the long day

as we all keep changing.

So, let us take these moments

before summer’s end

and drink up!

Did you know you can eat these plants?

Learn how to harvest and eat Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa L.) and Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum), and read the inspiring story of how Alan Bergo, a chef from Minnesota, became a mushroom & wild plant hunter, otherwise known as…a forager. He shares his foraging knowledge and recipes through his books and website at ForagerChef.com.

Foraging has been a relatively new interest for me, and I’m still getting my feet wet. Over the last eight years, my family and I have been transitioning sections of our land from a vast mowed lawn (by the previous owners) to native plants and even sections of prairie. I’ve been excited to learn that many of these native plants (or weeds, as some people still call them) are not only great for the birds and butterflies, but also edible for humans!

You, too, can become a forager. Keep in mind, you shouldn’t go eating just any mushroom or berry you find; some can be poisonous. Do your research, and be sure it’s edible before tasting it. And it’s important to harvest sustainably, so no plant is wiped out. As our plants fill in, I’m enjoying a nibble here and there.

Every time I walk past Bergamot, the aroma begs me to try making a cup of Bergamot Tea! I think this will finally be the year.

As we transition into September, one of my all-time favorite months in Wisconsin, I wish you all the best. However you choose to treasure these last summer moments–look and listen closely, reach out to touch, breathe it all in, and taste the flavors.

Drink up, my friends!