Moon Over Maguire House“Man does not live by bread alone. . .” In addition to physical nutrition we need to feed our souls. When I bake a loaf of bread or roll out pasta or make cheese it nourishes my spirit as well as my body. The more I try to connect with the natural world the more satisfying my life becomes, and the more my spiritual needs are met.
The hens provide me with wonderful eggs. I am more entertained by watching them chase grasshoppers than by most TV shows. The flock rooster points out dried seed heads, screams a warning when a hawk flies over, and helps the new mother keep her chicks rounded up. It is a touching moment for me to check the nest and find that one of my lawn ornaments has given from herself a perfect, beautiful egg.
The bees give me much more than honey. I know that every bee I see in the garden is one of my girls, my pet just as surely as the dog and kittens are. They work themselves to death pollinating my orchard and vegetables and turning nectar into honey. They are incredible creatures, making joint decisions about swarming, picking a new queen, which blossoms to visit and how much pollen to store, all without a dissenting vote. We humans should govern so well!
The potted herbs lining the kitchen window sill help me cook more naturally. They also ground me by bringing the outside world in. Basil, tarragon, thyme, chives, and mint don’t come any fresher than plucked when the pasta is already boiling. I learned after paying three dollars at Wal*Mart for six wilted basil leaves that I’ll never let the plants die out again.
The house is full of live plants. People who say you can’t tell the difference between silk blossoms and the real thing are missing the point. There’s no spirit in a dead flower arrangement, no matter how pretty it is. I grow about a dozen orchids of an astounding variety. They are all special and surprisingly easy to care for. Expensive? Not really. I go to Lowes to pick a new variety. Then I check out the bloomed out table where the same plant is about one-third price. The orchid is not really yours until it blooms for you, anyway.
I know that the beer I’m brewing now will be served at our Oktoberfest this fall, helping us celebrate our German heritage. Is there any better way to recognize family traditions than getting back to natural foods made by our own hands?
It is not necessary to be a back-to-the-land homesteader, making everything from scratch, to enjoy a more natural life. A houseplant here, a new rosebush there, a trip to the farmers’ market to enjoy the ambiance and learn about your food’s origins. Instead of thawing a TV dinner and plopping down in front of the tube, make a simple picnic meal, walk ten feet out the back door, and relish the company and conversation of family and friends.
Learning to slow down and get back in touch with the natural world around us is simple and unbelievable rewarding. It feeds the soul.
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