I have been learning about orchard and garden brambles, the high life of having a refrigerator, setting off on tree walkabouts, and building a patreon membership with its offerings.
After realizing it will certainly take longer than anticipated to retrieve my storage unit items that contain multitudes of artist supplies, domestic essentials, and general things we do take for granted… the mover and shaker in me has been in the underbelly of questions for how to grow, rebuild, and share at the same time. There is a sewing studio here in town within walking distance plus I adore creating educational pdf files, pocket guides, and writing short stories.
Here we go. A branch of reciprocity from Under The Root is underway, and I wish to invite you now, inside, to come see it, and find value in it.
Many of you have followed the journey Clove and I have been navigating: the loss of stable housing, the motorhome and relationship that left us stranded, alone, and very afraid, plus the ongoing work of finding a safer, more sustainable way to survive, ultimately to thrive.
I am unimaginably grateful that we are no longer living in the car. I am also continuing to work toward the dependable income we need to remain housed and build a more sturdy present.
Running parallel with that immediate necessary work, I have a first collection built and celebrating an official avenue of our forward steps toward a rebuild, even without a steady income. I have to do something for Clove and myself. May it be a more sustainable home for the creative and educational projects that have been growing through Under The Root at the present time.
Today, I opened a Patreon membership where I share field letters, tree lore, illustrated collections, short stories, creative resources, and work from The Listening Atlas, alongside practical offerings for death workers and the deathcare ecosystem.
The first collection begins with two trees of the 50 Trees walking path map for my neighborhood. They are the Scots Pine and Green Ash. It may be a humble beginning, but it feels mighty and it is definitely something I want to keep growing with and building upon. It has become a practice of being in the fresh air, walking to visit trees, paying attention, recording what is discovered, then making meaningful things from the world around us using what is around us now.
Membership is a way to help sustain that work over time while receiving creative offerings in return.
If this is something that interests you, you can explore the membership here:
https://www.patreon.com/UnderTheRoot
Please know that joining is entirely optional. If you have already donated to this fundraiser, we are ever so grateful for the support you have given us. You do not need to give again to remain part of this story.
Our immediate need for financial stability remains. Contributions to this fundraiser, shares with your friends and communities, and connections to paid work continue to make a difference. These are invaluable for strengthening the ground below Clove and my feet right now.
YOU helped us sturdy the bridge for landing on firmer ground, and for making room for the work that is growing from it now.
Sincerely yours,
Jennifer M Brown and Clove the Black Pearl
