Michael, Nina, Pat, Trev, and Chris joined me in the window a week from Monday ago to share teas Michael had hand picked in Southern Oregon last summer (Coos Bay, not far from where I temporarily resided in Ashland – small world!) He also brought pastries! Here is the introductory video we made:
We discussed the necessity of reorganization of goods and services, and how Michael was learning to become “more humble again” through work in construction and agriculture. Michael says, when you are building something you have to question “is it worth the resource?”
When I told them what the project was originally going to be – a strip mall out of use overgrown with vegetation, a condo development stalled, and a old warehouse refitted and functioning – Trev adds there is a “beauty in decay” when “nature is reclaiming” things; “it’s a natural process.”
Michael brought up the inanity of throwing away a whole doorknob when you change the locks because, “it’s easier to teach someone how to change a doorknob than a key hole” but far more wasteful.
The teas we drank were mixes of hawthorn, nettle, yarrow, and some mints. Jokes were made like “Heavy Nettle”.
We also discussed Health Care like Rhode Island Free Care and Oregon Health Plan… and how the ER’s are overrun with people who wait until the last possible minute because they don’t have health insurance.
Michael believes heavily in Biodynamics, which is a fairly interesting concept merging the understanding of agriculture with more astrological aspects.
Before we leave, Trev says, “I would’ve never expected this kind of use for a storefront.” That’s what I like. Keep ‘em guessin’.
Thanks Michael!
