Heather Cruser
Sep 1, 2025
The Monthly HCP Recap
On August 31 (Sunday Breakfast)
Fifteen lovely humans came together to share fruit such as green figs, muscadine grapes and sugar apples (homegrown!) and homemade berry hibiscus kombucha. We talked about our field trip to the Orlando Wetlands and shared photos from the hike, gardening attempts and permaculture, love of birds and the blurry lines between compassion and personal boundaries, the purpose of "norms" and how fear can hijack our daily lives unnecessarily. Some humans shared book recommendations and physical books with each other. Some resources discussed are linked below:
chipdrop.com for soil amendment which is very useful with the sandy soils of Florida.
Merlin bird ID app and iNaturalist ID app for identification and helping conservation efforts.
The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad - a book for creative practice to lead an inspired life (Journal entry prompts).
On August 26 (Explore The Orlando Wetlands Park)
We took a small tour of the Orlando Wetlands, and BOY was it wet! The rain poured down until right before our hike started but then it was beautiful the rest of the evening, with a gorgeous sunset! We saw a bunch of alligators, varied by size. One had a snack the moment we turned away. We saw a really cool frog, vultures perched atop dying palm trees and many many birds finding their way home for the night on the bird island. By the end of the evening, it was all a refreshing reminder of what natural Florida looks, sounds, feels, and smells like!
On August 24 (Sunday Breakfast)
It was quite rainy, but we met under the pavilion by the butterfly garden and big stage. We talked a lot of gardening and nature.
Some resources discussed are linked below:
Eat Your Yard Jax A non profit edible and medicinal plant nursery and educational center in Jacksonville, FL
Orlando Wetlands Park gives Free Tram Tours, Fridays and Saturdays, May - October, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (last tour leaves at 1:15 p.m.)
On August 17 (Sunday Breakfast)
We shared fruits and snacks and talked about how to bring love and compassion into our daily lives, finding community and stripping away fear of rejection. Some resources discussed below:
100 Days of Rejection Therapy - Shared by Amy - If you never ask, the answer is always no!
Timucua Arts Foundation - Shared by Dean - A very unique concert/events venue
Center St a Place for the Heart - Shared by Dean - Another unique venue, hosting many mindfulness events
Community 729 - Shared by Dean - Events center that hosts yoga, tai chi, sound healing
People's Free Kitchen - Shared by Heather - Orlando food sovereignty program
Feed Hunger Now - Shared by Heather - Community garden program to bring food to communities through various styles of gardens
On August 10 (Sunday Breakfast)
We had a large group with lively conversations. Jess brought a bundle of books to share with the group. We shared homemade kombucha and variety of fruits and then went for a walk along the boardwalk while discussing the many native and edible plants found along the way.
Some resources from our walk:
Beauty Berry - Natural bug repellant that you can find in most of Florida's natural woodlands! A plant to know and love as a hiker. In the winter, the berries serve as a vital food source for migrating birds.
Creeping Cucumber - A native cucumber vine that produces mini cucumbers, perfect for snacking!
Pepper Weed - A native and edible "weed" that tastes a little like pepper, or a mild wasabi
Bidens Alba - A native, edible and medicinal "weed" that is also an important pollinator plant. Maybe we should redefine what is a "weed"?
On August 3 (Sunday Breakfast)
We had a smaller group and had more personal conversations about life and living it to the fullest. To stay present in a world that is constantly seeking to distract us and to stay true to ourselves while constantly being told who to be. We shared fruit, tea and kombucha over discussion and had a nice walk through the garden.
UPCOMING Events
SUNDAY BREAKFAST IN THE GARDEN
Every Sunday morning, a group of loving humans gather for fruit and tea under the Yew Pines of Mead Garden in Winter Park, FL. Every breakfast is different, but you can usually find some people doing yoga, intuitive movement, reading, or coloring. Everyone is welcomed with open arms and offered a multitude of snacks, tea and/or kombucha. Conversations are centered around love, compassion, and appreciation of nature and life.
Dean Road Roadside Cleanup is scheduled for September 13, 2025. We meet at 9am at Dean Rd and Aloma and pick up along both sides to McCullough Rd. It is about a mile. We provide HCP shirts, gloves and trash bags. Please bring a refillable water container for your personal use. We stop for ice cream after as a treat to all volunteers!
In the spirit of Labor Day, we are reading Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy. We will meet at the Winter Park Library on Thursday, September 25 at 6:30pm to discuss. The book is available at OCLS and on Hoopla. We have 2 copies to lend as well.