Yes I Walk On Water
"I started Living Afield because I felt it was important to keep alive the knowldge that our ancestors took for granted. Those of you who are new to this site may not be aware, but I was talking about, and teaching people about survival and the natural world long before it became fashionable to do so. To paraphrase an old country song, "I was outdoor when outdoor wasn't cool"
Over the years, I have tried many different ways of getting this knowledge out to the people who could benefit from it. I have written articles for magazines such and American Frontiersman and The New Pioneer. I have also sent out newsletters, and hosted a wordpress blog. Unfortunately, I chafed against the limitations of these various outlets. While in the service, I was constantly told I had a problem with authority. I have always maintained it is actually a problem with bureaucracy and foolish rules, not authority per se.
As you can probably tell, I can get a bit long winded. So in my never ending quest for brevity, I will end with this; I hope you read what you can of the following blog type articles, and take from them what you can to improve your life."
Sincerely,
Kirk Wahl
Outdoor Oracle Articles
Demulcents
The Answer To Winter Dryness
Those of us in northern climates know the troubles of wintertime dryness. The heating systems which allow us to make it through the frigid winters, can wreak havoc on the mucus membranes of our sinuses, throats, and lungs. I struggled each winter, with nosebleeds, and a constant dry cough. To soothe irritated sinuses, your body creates mucus. This mucus then drips down the back of your throat causing irritation, and a constant cough...(Read article)
Cold Weather Lung Care
Protecting your lungs from extreme cold
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but inside it’s so delightful… Unless it is not. When a polar vortex wreaks havoc on our weather I do everything I can to protect my lungs. As anyone with lung ailments knows, while arguably one of our most beautiful seasons, winter can cause numerous pulmonary problems...(Read article)
Tonic Plants
Plants which act as tonics help boost your health
I have spent most of my life as a student of the natural world. This study has given me the ability to make use of the bounty nature provides.
When most people think of plants, if they think of them at all, they think of them as noxious weeds. Many of these “weeds” are quite delicious wild edibles. If you only learned about their edibility, you would be doing yourself and your family a grave disservice
...(Read article)
Watch Compass
Using an analog watch as a backup compass
Once upon a time we were three or four days into a canoe trip in the wilds of Canada. A mishap caused by my traveling companion to grossly over estimating his ability to "shoot the rapids" caused use to be separated from all of our gear. This taught me two very important lessons. First, and foremost, NEVER trust your safety to an idiot. And second, gear redundancy can save your life. Losing my pack taught me the importance of keeping the most important of these redundant backups on my person.
I love tools which can perform more than one task. In a survival situation this is essential because weight is a definite concern. I always wear a watch. If not on my wrist, I have a pocket watch. It is invaluable to help determine my direction and speed of travel, as well as telling me how much daylight I have left. If you make sure the watch you wear is an analog watch, meaning it has hands, you can easily use it as a pretty accurate compass....(Read article)
Bushcrafting
A way of life
Through talking with many different people, I have come to the realization that everyone has their own idea as to what constitutes bushcrafting. Some people believe it is about making things from bark and twigs. Others believe it is about building shelters from logs or forest floor debris. Still others believe it is about learning how to catch fish using a bone and cedar tree roots.
While all of those activities can be part of bushcrafting, they are not the full story. I believe Bushcrafting is a mindset, or a philosophy if you will...(Read article)
Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogens help your body maintain optimal health
One of the questions I am most often asked is “what herb can I take to get rid of, ‘insert malady here’”. Having grown up with western medicine, we have become programmed to seek treatments for the symptoms of an illness rather than treating the underlying cause of the illness. This is evidenced by the fact that whenever someone had a fever, western medicine recommended aspirin, or acetaminophen, to artificially lower the fever. In his landmark book, The Nature Doctor, Dr. H. C. A Vogel wrote “If only everyone realized that fever is nature’s alarm bell, and actually a defense against harmful invaders, we would allow nature to take its course and give it our full support.”...(Read article)
Spring Herbs
Eating For Health
After a long cold winter, I sometimes feel a bit worse for the wear. It is hard to eat properly when vegetables are not fresh and inviting. This can cause everything from a general feeling of malaise and anemia. It is imperative to once again boost the system in order to be able to enjoy the seasons to come...(Read article)
Navigation
"Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you got
Taking a break from all your worries
It sure would help a lot
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name."
I am amazed by how few people know how to make their way in the natural world. I mean this literally not figuratively. In the event they become turned around in the forest, most people think carrying a compass will help them find their way back to civilization. This only works if you know your current location, the location of said civilization, and the direction you must travel...(Read article)
Astringent Plants
Can Reduce Hay Fever Symptoms
Astringent herbs support your body’s drying action. This is extremely effective when treating wet runny symptoms. If your seasonal allergic response presents with itchy, runny eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and coughing, you might very well benefit from astringent herbs. Through testing various herbs with my son, and many other people, we found the plants Stinging Nettle, Goldenrod, and Oxeye Daisy to be the most effective...(Read article)
Seasonal Allergies
The Bane Of Spring
As the days become longer, and the air becomes warmer, our thoughts turn to spring. Along with the promise of warmer days, the first buds of spring often bring the itchy watery eyes of seasonal allergies...(Read article)