Here’s a link to my May Newsletter

I have been learning about Medicinal herbal knowledge in the UK for the
past few years. So, of course before travelling to Canada one of my main
hopes was to learn about the herbal knowledge there, especially
intrigued to learn about the seaweeds and kelps as we would be by the
coast!

I spotted a wonderful book through the window of Ten Old Books in Duncan, BC. The book was ‘Luschiim’s plants’ by Dr. Luschiim Arvid Charlie and Nancy J. Turner.

It felt really important for me to understand more about the knowledge and stories of First Nations in BC . ‘Luschiim Arvid Charlie,
is a Cowichan Tribe Elder and botanical expert. He gained knowledge and
understanding from is great grandparents and others of their
generation.’

It was incredible to delve into this book whilst walking on Vancouver
Island, it felt very special to have knowledge that has been in
Luschiim’s ancestory for multiple generations.

In particular, I loved learning about the uses of the Bull Kelp (pictured)
- these were used for curing things such as a bow and arrow. The
wonderful thing about the book is you hear Luschiim’s voice and stories
throughout, you hear his ancestors voices through his stories too. This
for me is a very special way to read about First Nations and their true
knowing and connection with the land. I am very grateful that Luschiim
shared some of his wisdom.

I was also very inspired to know more about  the Skunk-Cabbage. Luschiim
mentions a story that his great-grandfather told him. ‘“when the black
bears and grizzlies wake up in spring after their winter sleep they
gorge on ts’a’kw’a (skunk cabbage leaves) - all they can eat and run
through the bushes. This flushes out all the worms they might have”

On a kayaking trip our guide told us that the skunk cabbage retain alot of
heat and when there is snow they are the first things to pop out as
they melt the snow, so the bears have something to gorge on as soon as
they spot the green leaves!

I look forward to reading more about the native plants in BC, even being
back in the UK, it’s always exciting to see links in our herbs too!

Passing on the skill of knitting

A wonderful story about a bairn who wanted to learn to knit.

At Purple Patch spring fair on Sunday I had just finished setting up my
Patching workshop. The first person to arrive at my stall was a
wonderful human who knew exactly what he wanted to do. I asked ‘Would
you like to try some sewing?’

He replied ‘No, I want to learn how to do that.’ He pointed at the
knitting needles in my basket. (This was the first time I had brought
knitting needles with me to a patch workshop - syncronicity? I think
so!)

I then taught him how to cast on and knit.

He asked how I learned and I told him “My Gran Susie”

Whilst I was teaching him, my own memories of being taught to knit by Gran
Susie came back to me and I started chanting her chant “Under, over,
through, off” it was pretty special teaching him in the exact same way
as my Gran Susie taught me. It was a full circle moment of passing on
those exact skills she taught me onto a new generation of knitter!

My wonderful student got tired very quickly and needed lots of rests. He
had some great knit goals “I want to knit the longest scarf and get in
the book of guiness world records!”

I said this was a great goal to have!
After one row he said “Why isn’t it getting any longer?” I told him that it
takes a while but the more we practice and get in our flow, it will
eventually get longer and longer. We just keep going.

Later in the day I met his mam and she was so excited that I had shown him
how to knit. She told me - “that morning he had woken up and said he
wanted to learn to knit, so his Gran was going to take him into town to
buy some wool and knitting needles, but instead they came to the fair
and found me as soon as they got to Purple Patch. It felt as though this
was all meant to happen.” :)

It really was meant to happen.

I am so grateful for Gran Susie’s patience, knowledge, love and skills.
And I am also really grateful for my new pal’s patience and willingness
to learn too! Go Generation Alpha!