Sometimes we are sent away from our norm in order to reset and relearn and heal without distraction. If I were to be honest, I am ready to go home now, even though it is SO perfect here in Alabama. My kids aren’t here, so my heart isn’t really here. But I am here for a reason, I’m sure. I’ve been able to relax in a beautiful setting, looking out into the forest, and really breathing, really hearing what Creator is saying. I’m hearing messages loud and clear. I’m eating plant based. I am not consuming alcohol. I am listening.

I was burnt out when I came. I tended to take on way too many projects, businesses, and ideas (and subsequently, debt) and really wiped myself out. I had no more to draw from. This place is really a gift to me. I am being shown things that I took for granted and what my gifts really are.

I desperately want to hug my grandchildren and have coffee with my kids, and go to jam sessions at my son’s house, and help my community. But this is a great place for my husband to heal. There isn’t as much dust, wind, or wild fire smoke here as there was in the high desert. The weather is so temperate, we’re able to be out walking all the time. I am pleased to tell you, that even though we were shocked at his diagnoses, Doug is doing so much better. He declined taking the pharmaceuticals. (He did try the inhaler for two days, but it burned his throat.) He is taking my remedies and really working to improve his habits. I am proud of him! This is a good lesson for healers; we can’t make people heal, but we can give them the tools and the encouragement!

The biggest thing I have remembered here is that being an herbalist is one of the greatest honors. A very dear friend of mine- who is not well, I’m afraid- told me that the first medication he was given caused the next ailment, then that medicine caused the next ailment, and so forth. He’s in the medical field, so he is unbiased in his knowledge. I tamp down my irritation that the biggest businesses out there make their money by keeping the people sick. There is no money if everyone is well. (I honor my friends and family that are in the medical field helping people.) And so our food industries and our medicine industries, and the internet telling people herbs are dangerous, just keep us sick.

I received a junk email that said it could help me get rid of bad reviews on google. I knew it was a scam, but I went ahead and googled my own shop that I used to have in Canon City. Cedar and Loom was its name, and the reviews filled my heart. I had never seen the reviews on there before, and what a gift to me. I was really moved.

For all my herbalists, my students, and all of you healers out there- What an honor we have to be able to offer people an alternative. That is huge! That is an incredible gift. Keep on healing, friends! You are making a difference! Be the light for whomever is put in your path.

Wado. Donadagohvi! Love, Katie