Inspiration steeped in fog
August 22, 2011
Well, it’s been ages. The title of this post is a dead giveaway that my own inspiration seems to be coming and going with the fog here in Northern California. In and out, not always burning brightly until 3pm, and then only for an hour or so. Inspiration is a thin, smudged-up hard to open window these days. Still, it’s a window.
After a frantic early summer, I have literally been head down in the garden, working the dirt and working it some more. Learning these lessons again and again: beginnings, leavings, plants gracefully growing and sometimes tragically ending. Mildewy bud upon mildewy leaf. Such is the way of the garden, and it is not always easy to accept. (Like the fog.)
Still, there are glimmers of loveliness and some clear blue skies (which are always a guaranteed inspiration for me.) And of course the fog itself has very important things to offer:
First of all, a deep and lasting, quiet. I love how it becomes a buffer for city sounds. Instant auditory insulation. Amen.
Then there are the soaked bumblebees early in the morning. There is something so dearly vulnerable about their damp, slow bodies. They are a metaphor…we must move slowly through this dense blanket. Buzzing is for warm days.
With the fog we don’t need to water our gardens as much. And topical moisture is very nice for the skin. I know you are appreciating my optimism here, but of course there is a cold side…
When it’s foggy, it feels to me like the world has been turned inside out and we are surrounded by our inner lives. No more turning from the shadowy side of our existence. It’s damn foggy. The fog is in (us)! It can be spooky sometimes. Grumbly. Nurturing. Either way, it’s always a teachable moment, asking us to take a closer look at ourselves, as we can’t see the nearest (any)thing.
And so, while I work on developing my patented “Fog Suit” (No, I am really not kidding), I thought in the meantime I would make a fog serum. Because it never hurts to have a little help from our (plant) friends. A lovely extract of Lemon balm, St. John’s Wort, and Ashwagandha. Stamina for the fog, in a bottle. One ounce is $10.00. Available in fog-sized quantities, whatever that means to you. To order call 415.613.7010 or email at wiseleafherbal@gmail.com. Shipping available.
Photographs by the wonderful Daniel Norris. Thanks Dr. Dan.