harvesting.

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mister pencilfox remembered that i wanted to make balm of gilead

from the buds of cottonwood trees. 

he did most of the work, gathering branches, carrying them to me, 

assuring my comfort and safety. 

i remain confined to a sling, and so, 
quite carefully held branches with my right hand, snapping buds with my left hand. 

next step, the buds infuse in olive oil for several months' time. 

then, the oil is mixed with beeswax and the balm is created. 

the balm has a deep heady fragrance, 

and although i love it simply for its scent, 

it has medicinal properties, as well. 

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it was good to be outdoors in the company of my little pencilfox family….


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