Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman

There is a lesson to be learned around every corner of nature, we just need to squint our eyes and open our hearts – it is all there around us.
Today we went on an adventure in the forests of the Appalachian Smokies and I now have a strong understanding for identifying plants in the wild and the ability to use raw earth materials to treat conditions. We discovered so many medicinal and nutritive plants in these forests from Witch Hazel, Lycopodium, Rhododendron, Blue Cohosh, Goldenroot, Poison Hemlock, just to name a few. Our hike guide was a superstar, his acumen beyond impressive, and we all listened intently to every word hoping to absorb as much as possible. A common man’s knowledge has far more intimacy and I am appreciative for having my introduction to these lands directed by someone with such extensive personal experience. We met plants (yes, we say “meet” because plants are living beings that deserve an introduction) so anyway, we met plants near rivers and creeks, deep in the forests and along our ascent to the top of our mountainous destination. Speaking of this hike upward, this was no Camelback mountain. During the exercise, I regretted my lack of cardiovascular activity back home but seemed to keep up. We all pushed onward through the warm and heavy downpour of afternoon rain and were overwhelmed when we finally reached the top. Work well worth every drop of sweat and gasp of breath because the summit was spectacular. We were standing above the clouds, appropriately so because it felt as if in that moment God had graced me with a bit of heaven. I know that sounds somewhat dramatic but I lack any other ability to articulate this setting’s splendor. It was absolutely beautiful. We all took pictures, like the typical tourists that we are, and for a cherry on top Doug serenaded us all with some yodeling – video posting to follow.
I wake every day with the following phrase: “Thank you for a wonderful yesterday. I look forward to what today will bring and embrace challenge as opportunity to grow. Please fill me with all of the gifts that are in store for me today, fill me up with all of the blessings that are waiting for me and only me”. Today, all my requests & intentions were met.