Bogs get a bad rap. People tend to think they’re just a waste of good land. However, they have a unique beauty, especially when frosted with winter.
This is my favorite bog that I often visit in northern Minnesota. I’ve written about it before. (See Bog Wonder). I recently finished reading “The Good Berry Cookbook” by Tashia Hart. It’s much more than recipes about wild rice. She also describes her relationship to plants and the importance of Manoomin (wild rice) to her Native culture.
One funny story she shared was about spending an hour admiring plants (orchids, Labrador tea, pitcher plants, etc.) in a bog. A car pulled up on the dirt road near the bog and parked. A woman emerged and then, “squinted at me, and began to shout, ‘What are you doing out there!’ It came across as less a question about what I was doing and more a question about my character. ‘Looking at flowers!’ I replied, still crouched low. She stood there for a bit, hands on hips, obviously disturbed, then shook her head and flailed her arms as she stomped back to her vehicle and drove away.”
Tashia mentions that one must be careful not to sink into bogs. Perhaps the woman was concerned for her safety. But Tashia felt safe there. Moose walk on the floating plant masses and seem to do fine. But to be safe, she recommends bringing a friend along.
She offers a recipe for Swamp Tea, made with the Labrador tea plant. I think those reddish masses in my photo are dried up Labrador tea plants. The tea is supposed to lift anxieties and aid creativity.
Sounds good to me. Next time I’m at “my” bog, think I’ll put on my rubber boots or snowshoes, grab Russ, and meander out there to gather some tea leaves. We’ll see if anyone stops and yells at us.
Marie's Meanderings 
If people would learn about the animals that live in a bog, they would understand its importance.
I wonder if NOVA or some other TV show has ever done a bog episode. That would be cool.
It’s too bad that so many wetland habitats have been destroyed because they were “useless” to humans, as if no other living thing in the planet matters!
I got your book, but my TBR pile is daunting, so it may be a while.😊
So true about bogs and their “uselessness.” THANK YOU so much for ordering my book! You should just ditch all those other books in your pile, cuz mine’s worth it. Ha ha.
😊
Ha ha, you encountered a “Karen” at the bog.
Actually, it was the cookbook lady who met the Karen. Sure hope I don’t meet one! 🙂
for sure
I had Girly Bog, County Meath, on our Ireland tour and my wife Pam did not understand its allure for me though she had come around. http://michaelstephenwills.com/2022/07/12/bog-bodies/
I am happy to meet a fellow bog-appreciator! We hope to get to Ireland and Scotland this summer. Perhaps we’ll need to visit a bog, there, too.
Just do not walk on them, it is truly dangerous!!
So noted!
here in Los Angeles we have wetlands that get smaller & smaller to make room for development… great post
I agree, bogs do need more love. Great perspective!