We have been wanting to chat to @nateonsteemit's other half for a long time. Nate's our enthusiastic curator and lover of all things permaculture, including of course natural medicines. He's always jumping in our Discord and waxing lyrical about mushrooms and trees and comfrey and strawberries and of course chickens, and we love it. But what does his ever patient wife have to say about his ventures into this world? Dear Melissa was kind enough to answer a few questions we had for her, which she put together as a short letter to Steemfolk and the Natural Medicine and homesteaders community who really, really want to meet her. I mean, if Nate's a special guy, she must be some super special girl, right? We hope you enjoy this offering from Mrs NateonSteemit.
Hi there!
I'm Melissa, Nate's wife of over 9 years. I'm pretty reserved at trying new things, but married an adventure lover with the hope that he would push me beyond my comfort zone and we could grow and learn together. Somewhere in the last nine years we've meshed my pretty extreme Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and anxious personality with his dive in head first impulsive personality. I have no idea how we make it work other than a lot of patience on both ends, a deep seeded sense of commitment to one another and a great sense of humor.
First off, Nathan is always coming to me with new ideas- and always will. Some I've been willing to explore more than others. I grew up very conservative and very rule oriented. Breaking out of the "box" of conventional methods for health and medicine is foreign to me. I have some pretty strong long standing fears of things I know nothing about LOL!! If I can research it AND I feel like I can trust the research then usually feel more comfortable taking risks. However between my busy job as a mom of 3 and wife of the slobbiest husband on the planet I haven't found a lot of down time to research mushrooms :). I think natural medicine in and of itself can be a good thing. I'm not against it as a whole- but I always have a lot of questions before trying new things.
Our diet has changed drastically in the last year. Nathan has seen a lot of weight loss from these changes (but has been more consistent and committed) and I have not. However I have definitely noticed my body being less tired (more of an natural energy versus the high and crash of sugar/caffeine), and far less acid reflux issues. I had my gallbladder removed in 2012 after our first child and it's been a long time up to this point I would take antacids everyday. Discarding so many processed foods, especially soda, out of my diet completely changed that. I have seen my kids think more about what they're eating and why- and I think as a whole (not on an obsessive level) that's a very good thing.
I really have come to enjoy our garden. I do love the harvest that comes from it. It's difficult for me to put into the time that Nathan does and I honestly don't enjoy that part like he does either. I am pretty allergic to grass 😬 so it's an unpleasant thing to be digging in it. I view Nathan's garden and permaculture obsession like all the rest of his projects. Harmless unless we are homeless 😂😂. As long as we aren't being financially strapped to feed his hunger for a new challenge then I try to let him be. This doesn't always mean I'm right beside him doing the exact same work though. I have my own passions/hobbies/jobs.
I actually really love that our kids are learning different ways of growing/raising food. I didn't have that kind of experience growing up and it definitely contributes to my hesitation to try new things sometimes. This is a big part of why I married Nathan- coming back full circle. I knew he'd push our family to new experience and adventure. I'm the realist and he's the dreamer. I believe you have got to have both. Unfortunately people usually like the dreamer more 😂😂.
I don't know if I'd ever get a Steem account- though again, Nathan has encouraged me to. I've always loved writing but lack the time to devote to it I think.
The bottom line is- there are always two sides to every story!! ;) Thanks for reading!
Melissa Piatt
