The Free Radical

Gratitude should be our default setting.

My attitude toward Bearberries had always been cozied up with ambivalence. They’re abundant and pretty to look at, and I’m happy for Bear that he likes them so… so that he may prefer eating them to eating me, but my early trials during the summer tasting them left me questioning Bear’s tastes if not his sanity.

Break one open, and it appears to be filled with sand… and seeds. The flavour is quite what I would imagine deep, empty space to taste like– there ain’t much there! The skin of the berry is more like a shell, tough and brittle. That is its summer persona… during the time when there’s so many better things to eat!

Soon this will all be covered in snow. The foraging season is drawing to a close. The chill autumn wind whispers “Try them again…” I did. And now I rather like them! Bear isn’t quite so stupid after all.

They’re sweet… still no flavour to speak of, but they’re definitely sweet. Maybe that “sand” inside was just sugar in disguise. Now I grab them by the handful. The ones in full sun are ripe– the sweetest. As I bite them, they cause me to salivate… which dissolves the sugar. I swallow the sweetness and spit the rest. Quite enjoyable, actually!

“Work with what you are given; pay heed to proper timing. You have all of the necessary tools at your fingertips; learn to recognize and use them.

“It is easy to overlook the familiar. Things that have always been a part of your surroundings are moving now into new prominence if you will accept their (and your) expanded roles.

“Bearberries aren’t just for bears anymore! Perhaps I should be renamed ‘Sovereignberry.’ Sovereignty is based in Respectful Relationship… and has nothing to do with the martyrdom of isolation. Keep reaching out to connect with all you encounter, for you are touching your own power– reclaimed.”

Bearberry assured me that “someone else” would pick up this thread about “Respectful Relationship” in the near future.