What do you have with you when you go out to gather?

Nope, I never went berry picking as a kid or apple picking. First time I saw farm animals think I was around 13. Born and raised in a big city.

That's sad. Every kid should have the opportunity to pick berries (strawberries are best for the first time) or apples. First farm at 13 isn't bad. Inmates from NYC, they're first farm is from a bus window on their way to Altona or Dannemora State Prison. They ask what a cow is! We have a Fresh Air kid program where kids come from NYC and other cities to live in the country for 2 to 4 weeks. They're histerical! We hear them talking to their parents, "These people are rich. They have their own park!" Often, the people only have one acre of land and a swingset plus a slide or maybe a more advanced play set. But they have never even seen that much land or a family having space for their own play set. We think tenaments on top of each other with no land at all is the saddest thing in the world. I've had friends who had them come up, but I have not had the opportunity, but I want to have the opportunity someday. The hardest part for them is at night. Not having three locks on a door and no constant car sounds plus no neon lights, seeing only darkness or stars is freaky to them.

When I remember to do that, I'm organized, when I don't, I'm not. You never even went berry picking as a kid? With my rosacea, I have to gather and garden in the shade, even a hat and sunscreen don't work very well. But many trees make it so there is shade at some point on every plant each day. Besides it's hard enough when arthritis and my eyes slow me down or stop me from doing things, I can't give up everything I love and I refuse to. Besides, I have neither kids nor grandkids. So cats and plants are my children.

Good to know about the removing of the ribs makes the bigger Dandelion leaves better, not bitter. I have lambsquarters right now, too and some chickweed. Might gather some jewelweed for making or adding to soap or just to have on hand in case my brother gets himself into poison ivy.

I'm very limited in what I can find in my back yard, but I make as good use of it that I can. I would really like to be in a place again that has some true wild areas so I can gather a wider variety of food.

You're doing more with your little area than some people do with large amounts of land, trust me. Linda Runyon (my first teacher) wrote a book called Survival Acre with just stuff that can be found on one acre and if not, moved there by trade, etc. Quite impressive. If you ever search, Linda Runyon and/or Survival Acre, you will find that interesting. Take care.

Actually, we're behind England. They have a save the dandelion society. There is a book with 101 recipes for dandelions. I'm just catching people up. Just found a beautiful videoclip with a woman who has the same ideas and beliefs as I do. http://www.eatsweeds.co.uk/chocolate-sweet-violet-nettle-recipe And yes, I am pretty serious about all this stuff. I ran out of food and lived on wild greens I found until I could get home. My instructor, Linda Runyon, lived on over 95% of her food from the wild for many years. She's part Native American and she actually has been trying to get people back to eating wild. Because of the economy now, maybe people will finally listen, but maybe not. People can be stubborn. Some people will starve with wild food all around them.

I just tried the link and it didn't come up. Darn. www.eatweeds.com might work better and then try to find the chocolate violet recipe

That didn't work either, that link goes to the Bach flower remedies. That's another entire subject, flower healing.