This morning we got up to go pick up some groceries, and as we were getting in the car, we both see an ENORMOUS bird fly across the road and around the back of the house, where it disappeared. We drove around the side of the house, and in the willow tree, right next to the house, was a juvenile Bald Eagle. We went back in the house to get a closer look out the window, and I got the following picture:

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Well, I have been trying to figure out all the gadgetry to make more MPSS instructional videos, and Nick has been too busy with college to help out. So I recruited the nearest available talent. Tell me what you think of Emily's "Autumn Olive Fruit Leather" video. It is the first mpss production without the amazing talent of Mal and Nick.

"She is known to collect and preserve especially that which is in danger of being lost to the world." I'll let this site: do the copyright violation. This is a powerful story, one you should read aloud to one another if possible.

Tonight I watched the sunset while I was laying on a ledge and surrounded by family. The grass tickled my face and said hi. As the wind picked up, it rubbed deeper and made me laugh and smile. The sun was split into fragments by the stalks. Laying, talking, laughing and cuddling with the grass. Such beautiful connections we can have with the earth!

Is the blueberry thing this weekend? Heck I'm picking blueberries somewhetre no matter what!

The following link (and as pasted below) provides a recipe for Cattail pollen pancakes. Maybe we can make these next time we meet. However, I would suggest adding honey in the recipe and omitting the wheat flour.

http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/mattjp/Lecture%20Notes/CATTAIL%20POLLEN%20PANCACKES.doc.
CATTAIL POLLEN PANCACKES



INGREDIENTS

Cattail pollen
Wheat flour (optional)
Eggs (whole or artificial)
Evaporated milk
Vegetable oil

Harvest a goodly amount of pollen * (at least a quart would be… Continue

just wanted to say thanks to all of you maine schoolers for coming down . you all rule

HI Jamie, I seem to have misplaced the rainfly and tentpole for my tent. The rainfly is the tan piece of plastic that goes over the tent. If I happened to leave it behind, could you let me know. Thanks

http://www.flyingdeernaturecenter.org/events.html

Memorial Day Weekend: May 22–25
Hosted by Flying Deer Nature Center, New Lebanon, NY
Flying Deer is hosting the annual Building Strong Naturalist Communities Spring Retreat again this year! Last year we had an amazing time together playing, crafting, exploring the forest, singing, dancing, and enjoying wonderful local foods. Taking time to build community, nurture ourselves, and slow down is more essential than ever this year. We are thrilled to… Continue

Years ago Sun Bear wrote, "The price of acorns hasn't changed in 10,000 years. You just go and pick them up." It being spring and the wild weeds are wantonly springing upward full of nutritious vigor it's a great time to make a start on recessionproofing one's life by incorporating more and more wild delictables into one's daily life.
A number of years ago I was living in a community in which my housing situation wasn't too stable. While I had a variety of biointensive gardening beds, fruit tree… Continue

The swine flu is in the news today. There's LOTS of stuff each of you can do to not plug into the fear based paradigm that the media swindlers and politicians might try to lead people into. Those of you who've been through the school's healing/plant classes might recall one very good remedy: Fire Cider

FIRE CIDER: Some other names: four thieve's vinegar, complete tonic, total tonic. Take equal parts of onion, garlic, ginger, horseradish and a half part of habanero peppers. Blend in the blender… Continue

At the base of a 400 year old pine, Emma, Andrew, and I were discussing the knowledge that this tree must have. Which lead to a discussion on the benefits of our beloved White Pine.

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Today was an amazing day with the family. In York at the base of second hill near Mount Agamanticus, we took a hike in search of Spice Bush, Usnea, Burdock, and Wild Leeks . The Spice Bush, the only one we know of, was just starting to flower. Old Man's Beard was being allusive in the deep dark woods. But that didn't dampen our spirits. As we moved on, we found what we thought might be a large patch of Wild Leeks but were unable to get one out without breaking it. We didn't want to disturb more… Continue

Stalking is a useful skill for more than just getting close to animals. It's also an internal movement method comparable and with effects similiar to tai chi or pa kua. We start with the technical aspects of movement, the fox walk, the weasel walk, the basic stalking step, the hands and knees stalk, the belly stalk. These 5 forms cover most of the what you need to move across the landscape in a stealthy manner. It is highly useful to play them everyday, it takes time and repetition to build the… Continue

Hello folks,

Jack Mountain Bushcraft is running a work-study program this summer resulting in free tuition for our fall bushcraft semster program.

Duration: 12 Weeks
Location: Masardis, Maine
2009 Dates: 5/31-8/22
Positions Available: 2
Minimum Age: 18
Application Deadline: 5/9

You'll live on-site at our field school in Masardis and work on the grounds, gardens and sustainability projects. Duties include organic gardening, landscaping, cutting firewood and building an intimate relationship wi… Continue

Finally the winter is letting up and mobility is restored back onto the landscape, the time of inward contemplation is being balanced by a time of increasing physical activity. We stretch and exercise just like the woodchuck coming up out of his winter hole. Time to start building the body back up for the demands of outdoor work/play that come with spring and summer. Primitive skills are amazing fitness builders.
Starting it off with archery, I had forgotten what a nice upperbody workout drawing… Continue

Survivalists tend to enjoy knives and over the years I've spent hundreds of dollars on them. Tactical knife magazines and outdoor forums are full of knife talk and discussions about the latest greatest ultimate survival knife. It's funny though, as my experience grows my attachment to the knife quest decreases. More recently than I like to admit to I purchased the ultimate survival knife, the Tops Tracker knife. After years of listening to the hype I have found oout that hype is hype, and a heav… Continue

Mariette you left a comment I can't find it when i get home latter I'll try to figure it out

We had a wonderful day at Mal Stephen's new Wells Classroom an acorn of the Maine Primitive Skills School.

The weather was fantastic, the friends amazing, and the day was filled with bustling activity. I got to work on making a gourd bowl which is something I've been dreaming of doing for awhile. I've seen so many amazing gourds over the years, I often wished to make one myself. Today, Mike Douglas made that happen. Mike, brought gourds that he grew… Continue

I wanted a space where folks could post things that they have gathered from workshops, schools, or really cool experiences. For instance, Mal and Nick just came back from the desert. While they are both well rounded, I'm sure there were moments, or skills that really touched each of them. This area could be for those "gems" that really spoke to you from recent, or even past experiences. All too often I tell folks, beg them, to share with the rest of the community what they have experienced. Now… Continue