Weekly Recap; 8/18/25-8/24/25

Jordan DiVirgilio
Aug 25
5 min read

A good dose of time in Nature. No word at all on fishing. Sometimes that is alright. There is a time for everything.

Wild Edibles have been on the radar. Starting off the week making a jam out of the Riverbank Grapes found last week. There were not many, so I added some blackberries, raspberries and blueberries to get more of a haul.

While the jam was cooking, I went ahead and made a batch of granola bars! My one friend calls them “Jordan Bars” although it is not my original recipe, I have modified it and have it committed to memory. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will write the recipe in another article.

At the end of the week I made Staghorn Sumac Tea and I will admit, upon first sip, it is not as good as last year when I made it. It could be because we have been so dry lately and not much rain. So it might make the plant more bitter and less sweet. Nothing a little honey can’t cure. (Thank you for the local honey ;)

Much artwork has been created. Some pieces outside my normal collection and some experimental stuff.

Gnomes have always fascinated me. As do many things in the mythical realm; wizards, fairies, etc…

So while looking at my collection of Gnomes I became inspired to draw what I felt was the “perfect” scene.

The piece is not complete, but there is the progress shown below.

Along with that I wrote a poem. To which I will share with you now…

Gnomes

It would be nice to be a Gnome for a while.

Nowhere to go, nowhere to be.

What it is to be truly free.

All day to sit and drink tea.

Or to smoke on pipe weed.

Picking the days mushroom’s.

Sniffing the sweet flowers.

Planting the acorns in the soil.

It does not seem to be like such a toil.

Pine needles for a bed.

A nightcap for the head.

Tomorrow morning baking fresh bread.

When moving at a snails pace.

There is no need to make any haste.

At night the fireflies glow.

The moon slowly goes.

To be at peace where you are.

This is your home.

Why ever leave?

We have all we need!

A house to rest.

A belly full of food.

A pot to make our tea.

What else do we need?

The mushrooms protect us from rain.

The stars watch over us.

Snails listen to our tales.

Belly laughing, it never fails.

With cheeks so rosy.

And a perfectly round nosey.

A beard long to the ground.

Barefoot touching their toesies.

Pipe perched in mouth.

Blowing smoke rings all the day long.

Finding the right stump to nap under.

Living this life it is easy to see.

Why Gnomes are so at peace.

Finding different ways to be creative on one topic. It was neat to me that I was so inspired that I had to do a drawing and a poem. You might say, “you didn’t HAVE to do it.” and you are correct… but to feel alive and more like the person I wanna be, I have to create. It fills my soul and speaks my heart.

Coffee. Yes Coffee. Most of you probably have some in your hands RIGHT NOW! However, I am writing this at 9pm so no Java.

The reason for that little rant, is that it is damn good stuff. The bliss and Zen of that ritual and the reward of that first sip of coffee in the morning. So many of us drink coffee and can’t wait for the next cup. Hell, I’m thinking about it right now even at night.

The Zen I mention is in the process, the art of making coffee. There are more ways than you can think to brew coffee. Hot water and beans, okay? Then you add an artists touch of creativity and you find the hundreds of creations we all enjoy and call coffee, or some form.

No matter what the process, when you make it yourself, you at least need to add water, add coffee grounds, and wait for it to brew, add whatever we might desire, have that cup, maybe another, then discard coffee grounds.

Each step in this process can be an opportunity to be fully present in this moment Now. Thus it being Zen. Let your coffee be your focus. No need to worry about the day ahead or the one that has just passed. It is time to be mindful and present with your coffee.

Now I continue to write this at 6am and I am a few sips into my first brew. Life is all about enjoying the little moments and joys. Instead of throwing back your coffee today, take a moment to savor it. Give it a big whiff and smell that deliciousness.

Back to the artwork. The last piece I did of the week was done in Nature on the Lower River. The materials I used were a pencil for rough layout and then only natural materials found around me; charcoal from a fire, poke berry, sumac leaves, knapweed petals and dirt.

This is not the first time doing this type of project, but it is the first time I’ve used berries. Very satisfied with how it turned out. See life, and art, can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. Art has been being done long before pencils, pens and store bought paints. It was a harkening back to times of old, using the Nature around us to make Art!

When was the last time you just spent time alone in the woods? For me this is essential for me to feel my best and find clarity. It was a busy week, working six days and two jobs. All of that can get overwhelming. The best way to break free from all of that, for me, is to get solitude in Nature.

I set out to my favorite spot in the shade of some pines, spread out my blanket and set up shop for the next few hours. Spending the time observing, journaling, snacking, drawing and reading. It sure was peaceful.

This upcoming week seems like it will be much cooler. Somedays not even peaking into the 70’s. Hopefully we will get some much needed rain. There is almost nothing on the agenda, so let’s hope some fishing can get done as well as the always much needed time in Nature.

Song of the week;

Wind Behind The Rain by Jason Isbell

The lyrics are deep and meaningful. Hope it finds you the same way.

No Two Angles on Angling Podcast this week. Back at it next week.

Thanks for reading the weekly recap! Have a great week ahead, tight lines and I’ll catch ya later!

Jordan H. DiVirgilio