I feel like the older I get the more the world in general appears like a fairy tale flipped around – all the selfish, deeply unbalanced people run everything and smugly get what they want, and if you’re nice you just get left behind with nothing. Why are things that way? I think the awful people get their way because basically no one really wants to deal with them, and in the end, let’s be honest – doing something actually good never did anyone an ounce of good for themselves, really.  It’s not about that.

I suppose that’s why the fairy stories are so fun to hear, where things turn out alright for once.  Still, I can’t help myself always trying to do the right things at least, even though it’s personally unprofitable, but sometimes I get tired of the whole thing and have to just abandon people and go sit in the sunlight with the plants, who at least can’t make annoying noises and usually smell nice.

I’ve had a huge overdose of people lately and it’s been bad for me. I usually like people, i really do. It’s just been too much of them for too long and I feel like a favorite beach spot that is trampled and littered, and my heart feels drained dry.

A very nice and well-meaning person recently suggested that what I need is a whole horde of people stomping around in my garden and trying to help (that wasn’t exactly the suggestion, but that’s the image that came into my head while we were talking about it). The idea struck me as so horrible it almost made me laugh and cry at the same time.   I do have a few very high quality people that come and help me on market days, and it’s amazing, but otherwise I am realizing I actually need long hours with no one talking to me, so i can listen to the quiet things, and long nights of rest so I can think clearly.

Instead of going to live in a cave on a remote mountain top and never speaking to anyone again,  I am spending time here with Mugwort, one of the magical plants that followed me from my old farm. 

She is the Sacred herb of the fierce and beautiful goddess Artemis. Protector of women, she is impeccably beautiful, but if a man even looked at her, she would strike him down. Right now that really appeals to me. I love how she doesn’t put up with anything. He doesn’t even have to open his mouth to say something stupid or be a jerk to get struck down.
To honor Mugwort (Artemesia), and also to show off my latest fun side-hussel, Mockingbird Mocktails, a medical herbal mocktails business my friend Amanda and I started a few months ago, I’m sharing a spring mocktail recipe!

I grow many of the herbs and some of the mushrooms we use in our drinks. Our vision is to offer fun drinks featuring fruit, herbs, medicinal mushrooms, minerals, and probiotic beverages that boost your health and make you feel great.

ARTEMIS SPRING MOCKTAIL

First make an infusion with the mugwort:

1/4 cup of dried mugwort leaves
2 cups of water

Let steep several hours and strain

For the mocktail:

Combine equal parts Mugwort infusion, peach juice, and ginger beer (the home made probiotic version is the best – in a pinch, use some good stuff from the store).

Pour over ice.  Garnish with a mugwort sprig, put your feet up, and enjoy!