Hi Susan, thank you for being a part of our community here! Y'all, I met Susan in person years ago, but rarely see her or any of my friends in real life these days, and she lives fairly nearby. In these hills, 'nearby' can mean up to an hour away... distance here is measured by time it takes, not by the miles, 😆 It's one of the drawbacks to being a hermitress, I guess. But I'm glad for the internet that allows us to still make friends and interact with others far and wide. Susan, when you get a chance, introduce yourself to the group!

So happy you joined us and I'm looking forward to hearing more about your art and journaling, too!

I'm delighted to have you in our community, Jonny and I hope you enjoy it here. They do photography but also likes coding and is interested in reconnecting with nature. Jonny, when you get a chance, tell us a little more about yourself if you like 😀

The segment on making oil paint is uploaded now to the Paint-Making course! I've got a few more colors I need to make for my own stash, so I'll record when I make them this weekend and upload that too. And after that, we'll be DONE with the course. Next up will be some Plant-Walk courses, where I'll record walks and show you the plants that I use or love to see out here in the Ozarks (they often also grow in other parts of the southeastern US, except for those with specific vital habitats). Many of the plants I love, like the orchids, aren't plants I 'use', but are simply plants I love. The orchids are showing up now, and spring ephemerals will begin blooming so the season will provide a lot of opportunity for content. This weekend I need to get photos and video of the endemic Ozark witch hazel :D We have 160 acres here and a variety of different habitats. Some plants, like American ginseng and orchids, will only grow where their narrow habitat requirements are met, and some are more tolerant of growing conditions and so are more easily found. The plant courses will span throughout the season so I can show them to you at all of their stages of growth, from unfurling to flowering, fruiting, and then decline. Each group of plants will be a separate course: Orchids, Spring Ephemerals, and Edible/Medicinal Plants. There might be some overlap, as some ephemerals are also medicinal, and some edible plants are also medicinal, but the groups are distinct enough to make separate walks for them. I'll start some Forest Folk classes too!

Andrea and Daniel, welcome to this community of nature-lovers! When you get a chance, post an introduction. I just started a new discussion category for intro's, and I'll put one of my own up in a little while. Everyone else, post yours too when you get a chance!