Jenny took time off from work. Alyssia packed up dog and baby and arrived. We were ready. I had picked one of what i am sure are native plums, and one of its leaves....to ask for identification. We waited. then Alyssia and Jenny began to continue to dismantle the broken trampoline. Time went by and after a half hour i called, to a voice mail...????? and then after an hour and a half he called. Permaculture guy.....had gone way north very early for something and it took longer than he'd expected. I was so bummed. Jenny went home. Alyssia Emrie and i on to other things. So...we have another appointment for next week. In the meantime, i'll need to wait to know something about this plant person. She is just at the spigot that is at the juncture water from the City water at the road and here at the base of the HILL.
Alyssia is a master of detail. She has a gift. I am often lost in the big picture, lost in a rolling Epic that takes place inside my head. A couple days ago, she asked if i'd smelled this plant person at the spigot??, no. Smell it, she said. Next morning i did. Ran my hand lightly up leaves and a fragrance released that was incredible. Pungent, somehow unidentifiable, seeming to be a mix of many things...an aroma of , Alyssia says ,sage, i say rosemary and with MORE, and for sure a citrus rush...and on your hand, a lingering substance, sticky but disappearing soon.
Who is she?
and the next day, i see that all across that area of the Meadow that was mowed, more of her have sprung up. Who IS she? Having realized that the question is of Reciprocity, i see her as the first to speak. I see her choice of positioning, right at the spigot, her language of Scent....i see her Agency. I see her speaking about knowing first before doing. I hear her saying that before we decide to do anything with/about that meadow, we need to learn more. Her kin are there..having been hidden by the taller grasses that have now dried and become pale....she remains GREEN. Her tribe is GREEN. As the daily temps of 100 degrees continue, there is no lessening of Green. Who is this? and what does she have to tell?
