Dear Vigilant Watchman:

Greetings.

> Hello again. We do have chickweed here too, I just identified it. It
> tastes
> pretty good! In fact, we have upwards of 20 different weeds in the back
> yard
> alone. I'm still trying to identify several.

You've been busy!  You've probably learned more weeds in a few days than
we have in a year's time.

> A few emails ago, I repeated in essence what Thatman had told me, and it
> passed
> the blow from me on to you. I did not mean for this to happen. Would it
> have
> been better for you if I had not sent it? I want to know so I don't do
> that
> again.

I think that being punched, kicked, slapped, and shot is just part of
this.  It is unpleasant but at the same time it is part of growing and
exercising.  I used to say, "You don't sharpen a knife on a cotton ball. 
You sharpen it on something hard" (though it is grievous).

 > I'm going to go see if I can make my first lawn-made green drink.

You may have already made it, but if I not, you may want to try just a few
of the wild edibles at a time and maybe a leaf of kale or something until
you've tried them all.  If there is any reaction--which I don't
expect--you would only have a few choices for a culprit.  Just a thought. 
Are you going to add any fruit?  Let me know about your results.

Mephiboseth

****

> I just had my first weed drink. The flavor was very palatable given how
> healthy it is. I put chickweed, stems and leaves, cleaver, and a little
> wood sorrel in it. It took less than 10 minutes from harvest to drinking
> it. And, while harvesting it, I was amazed at how much there really is of
> the plant waiting to be eaten. It doesn't look like much, but there is a
> lot of it.

> This is very exciting! In just a few days I went from no knowledge to
> knowing how to make a meal now that I can eat and give to other people
> from the ground I live on. Thank you for your help,

That IS exciting!!!  It makes me want to do it to when the weather breaks.
 You are welcome!

Mephibosheth

****


M: You may have already made the Green Drink, but if I not, you may want
to try just a few of the
wild edibles at a time and maybe a leaf of kale or something until you've tried
them all.

VW:  I did make it.  What is the kale for? 

M:  I did not know (1) how many greens you had collected and (2) how much of a
wild taste you'd want to start with.  We make a Green Drink from whatever
greens we have available.  Sometimes we have kale or other greens that
we've purchased from the health food store.


M:  >If there is any reaction--which I don't expect--you would only have a few choices
for a culprit.  Just a thought.  

VW:  A good idea. I put in plants that I had had before. 

M: >Are you going to add any fruit?  Let me know about your results.

VW:  I put in an apple with the seeds since we have a lot of them that need to be eaten. 

M:  I've heard that seeds have a property that is a cancer fighting agent or
something like that.  I would not say that all seeds have it, but a quick
look online says that apple seeds do.

One thing that I've noticed with the change of eating habits is the
ability to improvise and use what would have gone bad in healthy,
delicious ways.

VW:  My mom is almost home, and I'm going to have dinner with her. This has been a
landmark day for me here working and growing. 

Indeed.