Rosa rugosa, or beach rose, is one of the best parts of summer in coastal Maine, with her petals of gentle cinnamon-like rose fragrance, petals useful for myriad remedies, including infusions (“teas”) and salves, then again in fall with her rosehip herbal goodness, perfect for another herbal tea (infusion)! Gratitude for a rejuvenated gathering of rose abundance in my yard after a hiatus, and her anti-inflammatory properties. The blessing of wildcrafting and foraging, particularly in your own yard, is plants we need emerge when we need them most, and we know their life cycle, that we harvest responsibly, and that they weren’t subjected to pesticides or herbicides—that they are cared for by the sun, the moon, the rain and enjoyed by those blessed to be in their midst.
INFORMATION IS MEANT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT MEANT TO DIAGNOSE MEDICAL CONDITIONS, TO TREAT ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR TO PRESCRIBE MEDICINE.
Artist, Author, Poet and Storyteller, Loretta McClellan, paints the skies, earth, and water below with her music atop the pink granite outcroppings of Cadillac Mountain in celebration of Acadia National Park’s Centennial, composed and performed live on August 6, 2016. A peaceful tribute to “This Place” through the Native American flute in the key of G, Loretta’s heartfelt homage is rooted in gratitude.
Happy 100th, Acadia National Park, for the profound beauty preserved for generations.
About this mindful moment, from the artist: “I visited Acadia and parked my car atop Cadillac Mountain, amidst many tourists hiking the expected portion of this grand expanse. I decided to go a different direction and found an unexpected surprise: a hidden, overgrown path, overcome by time. I went back to my car, grabbed my flute and journeyed from one plane of existence to another—one of profound gratitude, as I discovered the entrance to a solitary view of profound magnificence. The granite provided a ledge to place my video camera, and with the cairns as witnesses, I composed a song in that moment and played with my entire being. It was just me, my flute, the earth, sea and sky, and yet, it was Infinity and inter-BEing with all. It was a perfect joy and transcendence.” —Loretta Boyer McClellan
The heart of Botaniscape™, Lori McClellan views her lifelong connection to Nature and wonder manifested most fully—another exciting medium and source of abundant joy. A daily meditator and career Journalist, Author, Artist and Poet, she creates as Loretta Boyer McClellan. Her works as a publisher and writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry;conscious PR, brand, graphic design, and communications; and as a Meditation and Self-healing Arts instructor, journalist and artist, “sized the canvas,” so to speak, for a fruitful life of expression, connection, and inspiration. Author of The Little Book of Everlasting Joy: 16 Pieces of Wisdom for our Time, The Nature of BEing: A Healing Journey, The Misthaven of Maine Series, andDodging Raindrops: Poems and Prose of Beauty, Peace and Healing, Lori creates from a place of Oneness. Writing, meditating, painting, camping, and her relationship with Nature and all beings are her connection to the Infinite.
botaniscape.wordpress.com 