Episode 38: The Enchanted Woodlands With Chad Redding
Photograph by Chad Redding. This is the knife that the woods returned to Chad after he asked nicely.
This is a really enjoyable episode--full of woodland wisdom, deep thoughts and interesting remembrances
Chad Redding, experienced woodsman, co-host of Strange Familiars Podcast and Tim Renner’s research partner, visited with Morganna and Barbara and shared stories of his lifelong relationship with the Other. Many of his experiences have occurred while he is camping or hiking and it’s fascinating and a little frightening to hear him tell the stories of what he’s seen and heard first hand.
One story deals with the Scratten—which is fascinating. I looked up the word, and in Middle English, it means to claw, scratch or rake, and in German, “schratten” is a shadow. Combine the two meanings and I reckon you can get a picture in your mind as to what a creature with that name might look like and how friendly it might be.
“In the school of the woods, there is no graduation day.”
In addition to all of his adventures in the woods, Chad shares with us the teachings of two of his woodcrafting inspirations: 19th century author George Washington Sears (also known as Nessmuk) and early 20th century woodsman and writer Horace Kephart. These two gentlemen were very influential in Chad’s development as a woodsman and he gave us the titles of some books you might want to look into if you are interested in woodcraft.
Books by George Washington Sears/Nessmuk:
Woodcraft and Camping
Forest Runes: Poems on Living and Hunting in the Mighty Natural Wilderness of North America
Forest Life: Practical Meditations on Canoeing, Hunting, Fishing and Bushcraft
Books by Horace Kephart
Camping and Woodcraft Vol I and II
Camp Cookery: The Classic Manual of Outdoor Kitchens, Camping Recipes, and Cooking Techniques with Game, Fish, and Other Vittles on the Fire
Our Southern Highlanders: A History and Narrative of Adventures in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and a Study of Life Among the Mountaineers In the Early 20th Century
“Mountain Mamma’s Gifts” Mixed media painting by Barbara Fisher. This was inspired by listening to Chad’s stories of how he feels about the woods, and his adventures with communicating with the spirits that live there. Thank you, Chad. Pictured are three edibles that are found in the same season here in the Appalachian woodlands. Starting in the lower left corner and moving clockwise: morel mushrooms, ramps or wild garlic and around the toad, wood sorrel, which is one of Chad’s favorite spring edibles. (My favorite is ramps.)
“We do not go into the green woods and crystal waters to rough it, but to smooth it. We get it rough enough at home in towns and cities. ”
Morganna and I had such a wonderful time talking with Chad. We talked for over two hours, but the time went by fast, and it was like catching up with an old friend. We plan on having him back to talk more about his connections to the land, and his communications with the animals, plants, rocks and spirits that dwell there.
We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed making it.
