By Karen Allaire

I like this quote from the naturalist John Muir “Nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” Nature taps a healing force in me like sap in a sugar maple. When I connect to its flow, I feel calm, peaceful, and energized. I feel free to ponder on the existential questions of who am I, and why am I on the planet?

I like to walk in the woods and engage in the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku also known as forest bathing. It nudges me to slow down and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. I recently took a walk in the woods of the UW-Madison Arboretum. As I entered the forest I inhaled its pungent earthy aromas. I looked around and observed soft yellow maple leaves on the branches and ground. As I hiked the trail I took in the beauty of the scene. Halfway along I came to an area called the Wingra Springs. I sat on a bench in quiet reflection and listened to the water gurgle and bubble. The sound was enchanting. I felt a sense of pure joy flow through me for the remainder of the hike and the rest of the day.

Star gazing is a practice of observing the night sky. I’m fortunate to have access to a home in the country near Blue Mound State Park. I like to sit around the campfire at night and star gaze. It’s a dark sky and the stars are magnificent. It’s fun to look for the big dipper. Sometimes I see a shooting star. Once I was sitting there by myself feeling alone and isolated. I looked up into the sky at the stars, felt a connection to the universe, and thought “I belong in it”. The experience felt similar to the magic of watching a sunrise or sunset.

Eating with the seasons is yet another way I experience nature’s healing force. For me it means eating fruits and vegetables that are harvested at that time of year. I generally eat local foods I buy at the farmers market or the grocery store. I love fresh produce that bursts with flavor as I eat it. I also have access to fruits and veggies I grow in my yard. I’ve written about my cherry tree before. I think it bears repeating that harvesting her cherries and making cherry pie is ooh la la! I also have a small garden plot. Digging in the dirt, sowing seeds, tending to the seedlings as they grow into plants, and harvesting the crop is a profoundly spiritual experience for me.

Marriage has its ups and downs. I remember a time when I was drifting away from my husband. The act of preparing and eating simple meals together with fresh local produce helped me feel closer to him again. It goes something like this. We decide to get together and prepare a meal. We discuss what to have and settle on broiled salmon over a salad. We shop for local produce and the other ingredients. I go out and pick what I have to contribute to the salad from the garden. There is soft music and light conversation as we chop vegetables and prepare the salad.  I make a vinaigrette dressing. The salmon is broiled and it all comes together. We sit down and enjoy the meal. Once he said “I really enjoyed the meal, but I mostly enjoyed just watching you make the salad.” These meals have been a healing force in my relationship with him.