The agony (and joy) of moving is both real and lasting. It took me almost 10 years to assimilate from high alpine desert in the Colorado mountains to northwest Connecticut. The fact that I could grow a tomato went a long way, but even that was a mixed blessing. The sheer amount of foliage in New England astonished me, and I felt like I was in Little Shop of Horrors that first year. But it happens- we do assimilate. The acts of acceptance and gratitude for all the gifts a regional biome offers will foster the growth of whatever metaphysical glue binds us to place. The more we eat and cherish, like fungi with their trees, the more we come into the relationship of symbiosis with our environment. Best of luck in Minnesota.
I've been in Saskatchewan for 23 years now. I have to say that the most important part of my 'making this my home' and not being an alien environment was being outside - at odd and uncomfortable times - chasing deer, ducks and now mushrooms. I can see how that grounds your return to an old stomping ground.
I'm in Finland this week - a wonderful cross-cultural experience of a hot pot dinner with Chinese, Russian, Slovenian and Canadian scientists - that including recently foraged King Boletes. I'm far from home, but the boreal forest and a newly familiar mushroom type connected me back to Saskatoon.
Wild rice camp starts Labor Day weekend. Under the tutelage of Roger LaBine we will make the needed equipment. When the rice ripens we'll be at it. I don't know how much my share will be, but if It's enough, I'll share. I'm sharing in your excitement. My hope is you will enjoy the destination as much as the journey.
Yes yes yes! I feel SO STRONGLY that foraging and hunting braid us into the place we are, and I'm so happy to read about the ways that's following you through this time of change. I think maybe deep engagement with the landscape, and the act of receiving nourishment both literal and metaphysical from it, does more to make us feel like we really belong in a place that just about anything else. Certainly no amount of unpacked boxes could have given me the sense of feeling grounded here in Ashland (where we are temporarily) that I got from discovering all the local cherry trees, making wild blackberry jam from nearby bushes, and learning exactly when the hazelnuts down the block are ready to pick. Somehow the bounty and abundance of *the place itself* - not just the people - feels like the welcome I needed. Love that the same is happening for you.
Hank, it is always good to see your communications in my email. I was trying to think of how this one made me feel and the best I could come up with was soothing and hopeful. I know by now you will be in Alaska and I wanted to tell you that I just got back from Alaska and the Coho was run where I was at has been phenomenal. I was in Petersburg from June until mid August. The Cohos came in early this year and, fishing was great. So, I hope your commercial fishing experience is just as good.
Here in Oregon hunting season starts in another week and elk, bear, deer, and mushrooms are all on the agenda. Winter is coming.
I read this post today and knew I had to subscribe to substack--a first time for it. Of course I will enjoy the writing, adventures, and recipes but really wanted to let you know that you have a readership that isn't just interested in consuming your work but supporting you as a person. I have learned *so much* from you and HGC over the years! As one Scots thistle to another, grow where you the wind sows and give adversity a hearty laugh!
I’m enjoying your writing abut your new biome. I have to say when we moved from the Bay
Area to the foothills, it was the natural world that welcomed us. There were mushrooms EVERYWHERE that first winter, which spurred us to join MSSF and make so many new (and lasting) friends. Wishing you the best in Minnesota!
Hank i owe you one for setting me up with captain dobbs charter last year. We had a great time! Find your way to the driftless this fall i think were the best kept secret for pheasant hunting
I am a Seedling
The agony (and joy) of moving is both real and lasting. It took me almost 10 years to assimilate from high alpine desert in the Colorado mountains to northwest Connecticut. The fact that I could grow a tomato went a long way, but even that was a mixed blessing. The sheer amount of foliage in New England astonished me, and I felt like I was in Little Shop of Horrors that first year. But it happens- we do assimilate. The acts of acceptance and gratitude for all the gifts a regional biome offers will foster the growth of whatever metaphysical glue binds us to place. The more we eat and cherish, like fungi with their trees, the more we come into the relationship of symbiosis with our environment. Best of luck in Minnesota.
I've been in Saskatchewan for 23 years now. I have to say that the most important part of my 'making this my home' and not being an alien environment was being outside - at odd and uncomfortable times - chasing deer, ducks and now mushrooms. I can see how that grounds your return to an old stomping ground.
I'm in Finland this week - a wonderful cross-cultural experience of a hot pot dinner with Chinese, Russian, Slovenian and Canadian scientists - that including recently foraged King Boletes. I'm far from home, but the boreal forest and a newly familiar mushroom type connected me back to Saskatoon.
Welcome back. Been following your exploring for the last couple of years.
A hint on the rice. Google “Mallarad Marsh WMA”
Wild rice camp starts Labor Day weekend. Under the tutelage of Roger LaBine we will make the needed equipment. When the rice ripens we'll be at it. I don't know how much my share will be, but if It's enough, I'll share. I'm sharing in your excitement. My hope is you will enjoy the destination as much as the journey.
I'm glad to read you're getting along well with Minnesota, but I must admit I think of you more as a spore than a seedling.
Welcome back Hank! I think you should rewrite that 1 sentence.... it should read, "Minnesota is RE-WELCOMING me" ..... :)
Again, welcome back. I'm looking forward to reading To The Bone.
Yes yes yes! I feel SO STRONGLY that foraging and hunting braid us into the place we are, and I'm so happy to read about the ways that's following you through this time of change. I think maybe deep engagement with the landscape, and the act of receiving nourishment both literal and metaphysical from it, does more to make us feel like we really belong in a place that just about anything else. Certainly no amount of unpacked boxes could have given me the sense of feeling grounded here in Ashland (where we are temporarily) that I got from discovering all the local cherry trees, making wild blackberry jam from nearby bushes, and learning exactly when the hazelnuts down the block are ready to pick. Somehow the bounty and abundance of *the place itself* - not just the people - feels like the welcome I needed. Love that the same is happening for you.
Hank, it is always good to see your communications in my email. I was trying to think of how this one made me feel and the best I could come up with was soothing and hopeful. I know by now you will be in Alaska and I wanted to tell you that I just got back from Alaska and the Coho was run where I was at has been phenomenal. I was in Petersburg from June until mid August. The Cohos came in early this year and, fishing was great. So, I hope your commercial fishing experience is just as good.
Here in Oregon hunting season starts in another week and elk, bear, deer, and mushrooms are all on the agenda. Winter is coming.
I read this post today and knew I had to subscribe to substack--a first time for it. Of course I will enjoy the writing, adventures, and recipes but really wanted to let you know that you have a readership that isn't just interested in consuming your work but supporting you as a person. I have learned *so much* from you and HGC over the years! As one Scots thistle to another, grow where you the wind sows and give adversity a hearty laugh!
I’m enjoying your writing abut your new biome. I have to say when we moved from the Bay
Area to the foothills, it was the natural world that welcomed us. There were mushrooms EVERYWHERE that first winter, which spurred us to join MSSF and make so many new (and lasting) friends. Wishing you the best in Minnesota!
I love this for you!
Hank i owe you one for setting me up with captain dobbs charter last year. We had a great time! Find your way to the driftless this fall i think were the best kept secret for pheasant hunting
I buy my rice from thousand lakes located in n/w Minnesota it’s wild rice