take heed

a cautionary tale

whose beginnings

were founded

in the leaves of a book

a book that spoke

to my

natural tendencies

spoke to the healer

within

the nurturer

the earth mother

one who follows

her intuition

or so i thought.

Maybe the telling was in 

the simple desire 

to purchase a book

on 

healing remedies

and an innate

need

to learn more about 

the power of 

botanicals

and so i studied.

taking it in

gathering essentials

a modern day 

wildcrafter

foraging

and then

on a warm early fall day

headed out to clean the yard

when a small voice warned

these are not the right shoes for the job

and i responded

defiantly and went about the

work.

which came to an abrupt 

halt

when my foot

met up with

a 4" galvanized nail

two inches of which

found its way into the arch of

my foot

and i turned into a 5-year-old

with a boo-boo

face

quickly followed by

rinsing

soaking

bandaging

and a next day

doctors visit for a tetanus shot

and a bout of antibiotics

ah,

but the tale ends

not there

one week passes

and i go for a

walk/run with james

(whom i wish were as young as

the pic above...damn that ticking clock!)

all is going well

we just left the gym

feeling strong

deciding to incorporate a cardio routine

on this beautiful fall day

the

is within feet

and again i hear 

that voice 

which 

 tells me to remember

this trail has a black walnut tree

up ahead

and maybe i should...

and that quickly

my ankle gave way

to a nut

and i had to be escorted

to the car by my

(thank God he's grown so big and strong!)

teenage son.

R.I.C.E.

rest (yea, right!)

ice

compression

elevation

and

more ice

Lavender Ice.

which aids in healing

bruises 

reduces swelling and pain.

all that is left is the wondering

why did i stubbornly ignore

a simple warning?

Is it to prepare me for

something i must

not disregard

so lightly?

a not-so-gentle reminder to

pay attention?

 and so

i take this lesson in

listening

as if foraging a wildflower

and carry it with me

for

i will most definitely

be listening

to that

still

small

voice.