Expectations

I love this so much.
My friend Monica wrote this and
I want to put it here to be reminded of it:
Thank you Monica for your words of wisdom and power!

Expect nothing of me.  Do not expect success of me so I will not fear failure.  Do not expect failure of me so I will not feel shame.

Ask nothing of me.  Do not ask me for help so I can feel generous.  Everything you need will be an opportunity and everything I give will be a choice, nothing a duty.

Demand nothing of me.  Do not demand I do things for you so I will not feel obligated.  Do not demand I do things for others so I will not feel overwhelmed.  Do not demand I do things for myself so I will not feel foolish.

Let me be.  Let me be.  Let me be.

Like the wind just is and expects nothing.  Like the waves just crash without asking.  Like the rain falls without demanding the grass to grow.

Let them be.  Let them be.  Let them be.

We must let them be.  They are beyond us, greater than us, indifferent to us.  They comfort me.

Do not try to control me.  Let me not try to control you.  Do not teach me this.  Neither of us will be doomed to failure.  Let the war of sidelong glances and exaggerated sighs and sharp words end.  Sign the treaty.

Let us be.  Let us be.  Let us be.

But wish something for me.  Wish me happiness.  Wish me peace.  And joy, love, sorrow, wholeness, laughter, health, contentment, and freedom – from the puppeteers of life, from my karma, and from my suffering.

Wish me freedom from my own expectations, some of which I stole from you at birth.  Wish me freedom from asking myself for answers I don’t have and acts I can’t give.  Wish me freedom from demanding myself be other than I am.

Wish that I could let me be.  Let me be.  Let me be.

And I’ll wish the same for you.

Winter on the Farm

So yes.  It is winter and our herb garden is tucked in, and still rich in life.  You can see our  mounds of lavender behind our sign post.  Rubbing your hands along their arms, the scent is certainly potent.

Today I had a glorious day of processing herbs for an herbalist a bit north of here who will use them to further process into remedies.  I took a few shots of these delights.

My botanical medicine course is intensive and fulfilling, and also completely in the head.  My adoration for herbs comes from our living relationship.  From intention to seed to harvest and afterwards they offer me ease, nurturement and merriment.  It has been helpful to reconnect with this tactile relationship.

Hops grown in the greenhouse

Tulsi

Ashwagandha

Lavender that we started from seed in summer.
Yes it is a long journey from seed, but it has been such a treat to witness.

                    On another note, we have a new space for growth...

Last year, we propagated in one of our two greenhouses.  This greenhouse was in shambles and over the course of 2012 it was restructured and redone, glass, spanish cedar and all.  Zachary and Patrick made some beautiful cedar raised beds that we will plant into this spring.  How exciting!  

Here are some shots of one of the raised beds being assembled:

We have been enjoying the greenhouse
in the evening as well.

What a treat to be under the stars,
and somewhat warm

as long as we have our drinks in hand
and some tunes

I am feeling your love and seeing you everywhere.

Je t'aime pour toujours, libre de temps et d'espace.

Je vais vous tenir tendrement dans mon cœur.