I’ve always wanted a little mystical, magical power. Bewitched was my favorite TV show. I would get all my homework done so I could watch it. Yes, I did hate Darin. But I so wanted to be like Samantha and twitch my nose — play a few tricks.
I have collected a lot of nature over the years and saved them in apothecary bottles. I have bottles from 30 years ago — glass jars of dried acacia leaves from the tree outside our first apartment, glass jars of herbs, essence, oils, and extracts, sea shells, rose petals, a peacock feather. I like to make my own body butters.
I never did get a jar filled with eye of neut though. Those cabinets in the Chinese herb shops, with little drawers that pull out, filled with magical herbs — I am envious of owning one of those. And yes, I do take herbs–schisandra, astragalus, echinacea.
When I was in sixth grade (1967), I had built a fort-like apothecary under the terrace at our home. It was dark, made of wood, had a door, and I had my uncle put a long board up to make a shelf. I collected a lot of bottles and filled them with household items, to look like Dr. Bombay’s “drug store”. My friend and accomplice, Mary Lee, and I got into trouble for taking her mom’s spices to add to our collection. My neighbor, Greg MacDonald ventured in there once, I think. I’m pretty sure we tried to get him to take some herbal potion.
Mary Lee contributed some licorice root, which was my favorite. They were actual roots — like I had dug them up from the garden. We chewed it. (There is some medicinal use for that, though I did not know at the time.)
We mixed up some brew in my dad’s old dilapidated wheel barrow and poured it into gallon-sized glass milk bottles. It was a strange decoction. I guess I lost interest, because I left those bottles brewing and bubbling for some time, until my dad found them and kicked them over. They were filled with a fermenting pinkish brew.
Maybe I missed my calling — making beer.
Mary Lee, Elaine, and I are standing on the terrace, but by this age, I had abandoned my under the terrace apothecary.
Above the Terrace
6 Comments
Ollie
on 01/04/2020 at 6:39 pm
Me and fin used to do the same thing but we made NASTY energy drinks with apple cider vinegar. Brewing things must be in the genes.
Licorice root sounds fun!!!
Dur, you have the powers of the matchmaker and spreading love!!! And really, you never thought of that, ha ha, I tell everyone I am a witch. I think I am pretty good at curses!
hahahah, nice post! what ever gave you that idea, hum maybe your real witch sister, yes I am the one with the powers you know, halloween babies have that!
Me and fin used to do the same thing but we made NASTY energy drinks with apple cider vinegar. Brewing things must be in the genes.
Licorice root sounds fun!!!
hAHAHAHA…This is so funny, Deila! I love this picture of you girls. Fun memories. I loved watching Bewitched, too! =)
I never thought of that — yes you are the witch, you should have those powers by privilege of your Halloween birthday. What does cupid get?
Dur, you have the powers of the matchmaker and spreading love!!! And really, you never thought of that, ha ha, I tell everyone I am a witch. I think I am pretty good at curses!
You must have the cupid powers!
hahahah, nice post! what ever gave you that idea, hum maybe your real witch sister, yes I am the one with the powers you know, halloween babies have that!