Ode to BUG

The most fulfilling part of my three years at Bastyr has been working in the Bastyr University Garden (BUG).  In 2006, I left behind a happy life in California and moved to Seattle on my own.  Quickly, I felt a sense of belonging in the garden.  I made fast friends with the BUG gardeners, a group of inspirational and powerful healers, who are always supportive of my love of plants and ideas that are outside those of the mainstream nutrition world (and even a bit outside of the Bastyr nutrition world). I’ve always made friends quickly when working the earth together. There is something magical about growing food that builds solid connections, community and a sense of place.

BUG has been the constant in the rollercoaster of the last three years.  My favorite time in the garden is early in the morning before anyone else is there.  On summer mornings, before our irrigation system was installed, I walked up and down each row carefully assessing soil moisture and watering each plant, making sure to water Solanaceae from the base and lettuces from overhead.  I would watch the honeybees wake up, in their drunken stuper, and think about big life questions.  When I went through a breakup, the garden was there. When school became stressful or I was struggling with what to do after graduation, the garden was there. Working the soil is the perfect way to process my thoughts. There is nothing like having my hands in the dirt, growing food and medicine, to put things in perspective. 

So thank you garden, you gave me so much more than a full belly of delicious vegetables and jars full of herbal remedies.  And thank you Jenny, my boss and mentor.   Jenny is an amazing herbalist and teacher who radiates a passion for plants.  I have learned so much from her.

My time at BUG has definitely shaped my vision for the future.  So, during these last few weeks I have before the next adventure begins, I will garden with gratitude.