The spring took us quickly to the summer and the summer … it will soon take us further … Now the days are truly getting shorter again. The energetic June and July provided us with twice as much time as usual. All time spend well. All time spend with reflections and mindful moments during harvesting, restoration and training. So grateful for valuable help from family and friends - old and new.

This season has enriched us with craftsmanship, carpentry and wood work. So many milestones, so many achievements, and so many awaiting challenges.

The animals remind us to breathe and let go and to appreciate the moments.

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Trees, birds and life are awakening from the winter hibernation, a winter that has been full of remarkable in depth exploration of how resistance can cause curiosity and appreciation. The amazing pussy willows (Salix caprea) truly signal that the spring season has arrived. It is time to wonder what the new season will initiate. The first tree that signals the arrival of the new season is the tree that we have been immensely grateful to throughout the entire winter.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), nun, abbess and medicinal plant expert, wrote about Willow: “The willow (wida) is cold, and it designates vices, since it seems to be beautiful. It is not useful for people, except in serving external uses, and is not good for medicine. Its fruit and juice is bitter, and not good for human use. If one wishes to eat it, it stirs up and augments melancholy in him, makes him bitter inside, and diminishes his health and happiness.”

The sheep at Østreng have had willows for their daily food the entire winter, and have certainly not been affected by the melancholy Hildegard describes. Nordic plant traditions seem to explain the willows in another direction, being more of a health provider and even pain reliever.

Right now, the willow is a clear favorite at Østreng and even brings hope and dreams for a new season!

Lonely am I as the forest aspen,
Of kindred bare as the fir of its boughs,
My joys are all lost as the leaves of the tree
When the scather of twigs from the warm day turns

(From Hamdismál)

Tree after tree and bundle after bundle, of willows, roe, aspen and ashes... We spend day after day at Østreng these summer weeks with harvesting leaves for the winter fodder. The extensive drought has urged us to search the roots for older customs in feeding the animals. Our forefathers also fed their animals during winter, but they did not cultivate as much land for fodder as is normal today. Neither did they have big storage rooms or hay wrapped in plastics. The fodder was mainly stored outdoors and the fodder was harvested in nature. Nature is a true larder!

I am so enthusiastic about the possibility we have had this summer to dive into a new plant practice field. These days we teach ourselves about the old customs of harvesting leaves as fodder. The oldest snidel - a knife specifically suited for cutting twigs - found in Norway dates back to the Viking Age, and in some parts of Norway the traditonal way of "lauving" has been practiced continously since. In other parts, this knowledge has been forgotten. At Østreng we study, practice and research different ways of lauving this year, and we will definetely remember this custom for the future.  

Worries about the grass and the growth, the fodder and the winter season make the pleasure of the intense summer weather somewhat ambiguous also at Østreng. The weather and the work we are enjoying invite to reflections about the many long lasting processes at the farm. We need to plan for the future, and still appreciate every moment. The last week's major project of spreading horse compost for future growth has been accompanied by arranging for new arrivals at the farm. Four chicken babies are growing up, a super cozy hut has been installed, and today we were happy to welcome two rabbits; Sprø løk and Eira, to the Østreng family - either for summer holidays or permanent occupation. Never a dull moment! We love processes! 

On May the 16th we had a successful clinic with Hanna Engström at Østreng. At the same time as the entire Norway prepared for the Constitution day on the 17th, Hanna guided dedicated riders through breathing exercises with their horses. The sun was heating up the riding arena, the horses and the riders the whole day, and made us fully aware of the summer's entrance. Thank you all for your contributions and a wonderful day!