I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but it’s possible that my recent foraging activities may actually have attracted media attention.
I was impressed with the location crew who joined me in taste-testing lamb’s quarters while videotaping a segment for possible use in a harvest theme program.
As I signed the release, I had to grin at “Weed Lady” written on the top right corner of the page. I suppose that beats “Weed Eater.” I’m debating whether to contact the producers and suggest they use the term “Forager.”
Maybe I’m just one of those old hippies who never die, we just flash back, but “Weed Lady” has me thinking that viewers will expect an attitude adjuster, rather than a fist full of salad greens that taste like spinach.
I loved having a thick stand of easy-to-pick wild edibles just steps from where I stayed near Inwood Hill Park. I’ve been foraging since my childhood days on our family farm. I forget that this is not the experience of most people, especially younger people.
I think about the inner city child, now empowered with the thought that if she can recognize these plants, she has a source of nutritious food, just for the picking. And I think about the affluent young producers who find the idea so outrageous, it’s both amusing and good material for harvest season in our abundant part of the world.
It’s neat that people are taking an interest. I have not seen the video footage, and I know even if I did, it will be edited. I hope it’s effective in encouraging people to embrace the idea of foraging. Of course, I may end up looking like an old hippie who flashed back.
Words have power. If “forager” doesn’t appeal to the producers, I wonder if I should borrow from “Woods Woman” from Anne LaBastille, or “Wild Woman” from “Wildman” Steve Brill? I’m just not sure about “Weed Lady.”