At Home

I might sell SCOBY* babies for $1 at my house. It will be like U-Pick; you pick and I sell it to you. 

Today I thought of giving one to someone I know to help with gentle focus. It would never make kombucha. It would provide a jar for intent, attention toward something small that needed care. It could be a way for her to practice caring lightly, with ease, instead of anxiety and pressure styles of care.

She might carry it around in its jar at 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for 3 to 4 minutes. A practice of walking lightly while carrying a SCOBY floating entirely in its own brine of bacteria and yeast, bouncing along in free form, trusting the process.

She might walk with more of a float at 9:00 and 4:00, with less absolute form, softer edges, and reduced rigidity. This lack of tension would soften neck pain. The jaw would relax and release bound-up masseter muscle knots.

Later today, I walked around my block holding a tiny puppy and walking my tiny dog. This is a great way to meet people. I walked up to a neighbor who I have said hi to for 10 or so years, but this time I showed her the puppy and we talked more. Not about the puppy, but about Greece, herbal formulas, kayaking, poetry, and finally Ursula LeGuin. She ran in and printed Initiation Song from the Finder’s Lodge (here is entire song):

Walk carefully, well loved one,

walk mindfully, well loved one, 

Walk fearlessly, well loved one. 

Return with us, return to us, 

be always coming home.

I walked home and it felt different. I noticed more the feeling of being home. I carried a tiny dog and walked a tiny dog in my hometown, going home.

*SCOBY: symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast – the “starter” for kombucha.