Well got tapped to do a talk out at San Francisco Botanical Garden
they wanted to hear about the ethnobotany of old time peoples before there was a california
a time when there was just a bunch of mountains and deserts and winding rivers through swampy grasslands
what plants did people eat?
how did they get by without metal tools and lighters?
what was their relationship with the land and all them animals?
To be honest, I really dont know much about the subject
so gonna just wing it
hopefully you do better than me –
Go on a walkabout on the plateau
come easy off the mesa scooting on rocky slides
do this for a dozen years or more and the earth will come alive and you can talk to her
ask her yourself what it means to be native and grounded
by this time, the plants will all want to chime in also
they a talkative bunch
and you can listen to their sunlit chatter giggles too
just dont get kingfisher and mockingbird started,
otherwise you’ll be there day and night day and night
While you are present and in active observation
take some notes, write a scientific paper for posterity
then twist a basket full of agave rope
and play a billowy tune on the elderberry flute
Wish I could tell you more but like I said
I’m a beginner too
still learning the difference between a tar weed and a gum weed
still making uneven splits of back and forth roots
sigh
this is as far as I’ve got, enjoy!




