A new country means new plants, more stories

It's been a while.

I've been busy selling books, working, and packing for my trip to Ukraine, where I'll live for the next 10 months studying Ukrainian dance, culture, and language.

I'll continue to write, focusing on my year in Ukraine. Follow along if you'd like. You can subscribe at the bottom of my website for blog updates directly to your inbox, or just check the site once in a while to see what's new.

Though I'm not here to learn specifically about the Ukrainian outdoors and nature, it will happen. Ukrainian culture is connected to the Earth — folklore surrounds various plants, flowers symbolize different human qualities, and nature provides food and nutrition.

When I've felt pangs of homesickness, I look to nature.

The stinging nettles on my walk in the Carpathian Mountains, the fresh chanterelles in my salad, and the house plants on people's windowsills bring me comfort, reminding me where I am is not so different from home. 

You can connect with me on my Ukraine blog, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

I won't be posting to this Planted blog for now, but I hope you keep in touch!