So much has happened since I was here last. I actually did write on the new moon last month, which as you may remember was the day of the storm out here. It was all about community resilience and climate chaos. Sounds good, right? AND I was somewhat delirious because I was up all night long taking care of my sweet dog who has PTSD and paces and scratches and has to wear an anxiety outfit for dogs during storms, so what I wrote made very little sense and will remain a draft. forever. I will write about those things again, including thoughts on Rough Weather Networks and holistic disaster response.
Some things to share with you:
One, is this interview I did which is now out in the Canadian journal, No More Potlucks. Gina Badger, artist, writer, herbalist genius, found me somehow, came and drank tea with me, and we talked about magic, plants, colonialism, and social justice. Enjoy. http://nomorepotlucks.org/article/magie-no17/out-time-interview-dori-midnight
Two, for those of you in the Northeast, I will be teaching a workshop this Sunday at Montview neighborhood farm called Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves. My workshop will be followed by an herbs for community resilience workshop with the brilliant Jade Alicandro- Mace.
In this experiential workshop, we'll explore our interconnectedness with each other and the earth, at a time in which our very survival, as a species and as a planet, seems to hang in the balance. If we are paying attention, our responses can range from numbness, grief, anger, or fear, which manifest differently in our daily lives (like environmental illness, cancer, ADHD, stress, addiction etc). How can we, as individuals and as communities, honor and move through these emotions and also connect to our gifts, vitality, creativity, and sense of connectedness to root ourselves in joy and be of service at this very time on the planet? We'll talk about land history- from genocide to toxic exposure- and learn rituals, remedies, and practices that support healing for ourselves, our communities, and the earth, herself.
$25-$60 sliding scale, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Please register in advance by emailing montview AT pedalpeople.COM or call 413-825-6795 x306
Three, I want to direct your attention to a couple of places dear to my heart that suffered great losses from the storm and could use your support.
Nuestras Raices is is a grass-roots organization that promotes economic, human and community development in Holyoke, Massachusetts through projects relating to food, agriculture, and the environment. They lost 95% of their produce, their farmer incubator site, and youth garden. They host 13 migrant and refugee farmers that cultivate specialty crops from the Caribbean and many of their plants used for seed saving were destroyed as well.
They are trying to fundraise $100,000 to help the farmers recoup their losses and rebuild the farm.
You can make a tax deductible donation to:
Nuestras Raices attn: Farm Relief
329 Main St
Holyoke MA 01040
Also, Partner Earth Education Center is a sweet sanctuary land where my dear friend and teacher Pam Montgomery lives and hosts workshops. The gardens were flooded with silt and boulders and there is much work to do to recover this beautiful land. You can learn more and make a donation
Four, check out the book, Urban Homesteading!
For one, it's got information on fermenting, rabbit raising, beekeeping, goat farming, cheesemaking, rain water catchment, and permaculture in the city. and more!
For two, it's by two stellar human beings, Rachel Kaplan and K. Ruby Blume, who I love.
For three, there are pictures of baby rabbits in it.
For four, I have a little bitty essay in it about community healing as homesteading! This book is an excellent resource, SO well written, and fabulous for both beginners to seasoned dirty city farmers, so please go to your local bookshop and buy it or ask them to order it, or ask your library to carry at least one copy of it.
with lots of love,
Dori
