0 5 . 0 8 . 1 2

Dad and I spent the afternoon

 in the thick of the blackberry vines

on the opposite side of the creek

long sleeves and gloves

our only armor

harvesting 5 foot stalks of hearty

wild nettles

of which i had to make

one of my favorite simple dishes;

pasta with pureed fresh nettle sauce,

pinenuts, parmigiano

(and the outside light is golden right now,

hitting tree leaves sideways,

cool air drops into our little valley,

and three spots on my skin tingle;

incessant reminders of today's work)