Song of the Week

Listen to this song as you read to help open you up. I met Ellie Kim when I was living in Chicago doing AAPI organizing. She’s awesome!

Updates!

I've been thinking about a world where everyone feels and knows that they are deeply a part of the ecosystem, useful, integral, needed, wanted, the whole shebang. The odd ducks, the people who are healing, the people who are relearning the things they need to know, the people who move slower than a snail, the people who can't remember who or where they are, the children who don't know why they're crying. You, and me, and everyone we know. So much time and spirit is wasted trying to prove this. Keep imaging the world you need(ed), not the world you know. We’ll get there.

Here’s a little thing I wrote on earth day. A poem? Not sure. I didn’t write it thinking I would share it, but then why not share? Nothing to lose these days. These days are for leaping.

Earth Day 2026

I woke up today so full of spring. Then felt disheartened by my slowness. 

I expected to be met with delight and freedom, a green sense of peace on this day. The miracles that accompany a warm bed, a breakfast that’s handed to you, and hours meant for no one else.

I sit next to a willow at Lake Nakomis. I have never felt alone with a tree. I listen as much as I’m able.  “It’s not as bad as you think”, I hear after listening for a few minutes. A sturdy reassurance, that’s a bit hard to believe, but I settle into my determination to be a good listener. So repeat it over, and over again, to myself trying to find the sense in it. 

Eventually I let some of it in, am glad to know it. Starlings and sparrows and robins visit us. They sound industrious, commanding. Perhaps instructing each other or reporting back about the day. Perhaps searching like the couple sitting behind me, for a potential match to enjoy this glorious new warmth in company greater than themselves. If I am lucky they will keep letting me eaves drop on their rituals, human and bird alike. We are not so different. I’m like a little sister hearing my bigger one speak about the world so I can stay quiet a little longer, linger in her shadow as I wait to learn more about the hums and drums of the world. 

I’ll admit, there are days I don’t want to know what’s happening. 

I am glad for the wind. Glad to have ears that can be filled with vapors and dust and pollen, even when they itch. I am grateful to sounds larger than my worries and concerns. 

My stomach returns to the prickly sensation of what’s for dinner. And why did that twig land on me? Choose to fall just now? I let myself enjoy feeling like a lucky one. And “I am lucky” I remember, to have kinship in this place.

Ramps, Nettle, and BUTTER

I found ramps for the first time! Finally! I’ve been waiting many years to be able to find some. It was a little patch and I harvested with the 15% rule, cutting one inch above the ground as if they are pulled from the root they take 7-8 years to grow back. I also harvested a lot of nettle in my backyard. My controversial take is this: I like the nettle butter more than the ramp butter. Don’t get me wrong I’m a lover of garlic, but I like the nutty green taste of nettle much more in the butter flavor.

Preparing for Beltane

The Irish celebration of beltane is coming up and I’m getting ready by harvesting marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) as yellow flowers are seen to bring good fortune. I harvested willow to make crowns and black calla (Arum palaestinum). Celebrating beltane is a good way to get in touch with the land and build relationships with our plant relatives. Beware, marsh marigolds are poisonous, causing some serious digestive upset if eaten raw. You can render them safe to eat apparently by drying them or boiling them a few times. I’m just using them decoratively, but still, good to know.

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OTR/L, BA, MHP, LMT,
she/they) Integrative Therapies

I offer individuals and couples trauma informed somatic experiencing (SE)/coaching, craniosacral therapy, consultations, large group facilitation, art/nature/foraging workshops, and healing through art, play, and connecting to nature. Free 15 minute consultations can be booked on my website if you’re intrigued or have questions.

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xoxo Eiko