I saw a tweet the other day saying something like, I Pavlov’d myself into not being able to study at my favorite cafe with a fancy drink so now I’m screwed—and I SO related. The french press I have on my counter doesn’t hit the same way as any drink from Blue Line, the coffee shop across the street from me where I was a daily regular before all of this. Our restaurants and cafes in Nebraska have continue to provide carryout and delivery service, but of course what we all miss most is the experience of being around other people. I especially miss my fellow regulars at Blue Line. One man in particular is Jack Phillips. Jack is a naturalist, nature writer, arboricultural consultant, and director and principal of The Naturalist School. After a career as a humanities professor that took him to native Alaskan communities and the Middle East, he turned his professional focus to the study of native North American ecosystems and nature education. Jack’s work takes him all over the world, but I would most often find him sitting in the back of the Blue Line cafe where he was reviewing research from the field or preparing to go back out to work in the forest. He is kind to every person, he is engaging to every child, and we are like-minded about many things.
I asked Jack three questions: What’s something you are looking forward to, what’s something that’s getting you through the day right now, and what’s something that people need to keep in mind? He answered in the form of a beautiful poem.
The next full moon is the flower moon so-called but it might be called the frog moon or bunting moon or the tiger-flame moon because on May 7th all the frogs and toads will be mating and songbirds will be breeding and our orange-striped woodland snails will be coupling (each snail at least two genders) and not to mention sporulating mushrooms (countless genders) so I propose we call it the “you-sexy-thing moon” and I look forward to it.
I need the moon for what she does and means and how she pulls the tides of the planet and the primal waters within me every cell a sea of being my soul reflects the wane and wax the dark side and bright and like our sister moon we all live by given light. Every day I need the moon to have her say and quiet enough to hear those lunar tunes.
I need to feel the wilder better and wetter parts of me move with cosmic swing. That’s what I said when Megan asked me what I want and need and one more thing what do I have to say? We can love the world and not consume it we can live together without conflict we can love each other without limit we can open ourselves to nature where we find it and the sexy moon will light the way. And frogs.
by Jack Phillips, The Naturalist School
Habits and lessons I am keeping with me when this is all over:
A slower morning routine
Less shopping - I used to want so much. Now I don’t really care. I have plenty of stuff. I’ve gone kind of cold turkey on consumerism.
Softer clothes (why was I so willfully uncomfortable so often omg)
Wearing masks in crowded places when I don’t feel well
Virtual meetings whenever possible—if I never drive an hour for a 20-minute meeting again, that is fine with me
With that said, less driving altogether
Writing letters—Since the beginning of this, I have sent over 300 birthday cards to kids in Nebraska (and some beyond) whose birthday parties were cancelled, and I have sent dozens of cards and letters to friends and colleagues. This has been a rewarding habit that I would love to keep up.
Leaving blocks of time unscheduled
Things I am 1000000% going back to, with gusto:
Visiting locally owned restaurants
Traveling
Sitting at a bar doing crossword puzzles
Without downplaying the tragedies of this pandemic, there is a sense of liberation in this suspension of everything. This disruption and isolation has encouraged me to re-evaluate many things about my life, my behaviors, my habits…and that has been productive. We are out of autopilot mode. I would like to stay that way.
More to come. If you know someone who would like this in their inbox, forward it to them and tell your friends to subscribe. You can browse previous editions here. I would also ask you to consider upgrading to a paid subscription if you have not, which would be extraordinarily supportive and appreciated. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter, too. Order some takeout, tip huge, and stay safe!
Meg