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
It's wonderful and cool to meet you Melissa! I really enjoyed reading your letter to us Steemians. Wishing you all the best. Stay cool fun, happy & cool friends ❤🧡💜
Great to get to know Nate's better half a bit! It's cool that you give your support of the permaculture backyard journey :) The longest journey starts with the first steps and it can get dark before the dawn. I believe the skills will be invaluable in the coming years.
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Very cool to hear from you. Melissa! It's real good to get the other side of the story. :))
With all the experience Melissa has accumulated, I think the community will benefit from her opening an account!
One of my favourite interviews, all the better you turned it into more of a letter. I love the way you guys are kind of opposites but you learn from each other and support each other. Really cool that you are learning from this journey as well full stop a healthy bit of caution is probably necessary haha. Xx lovely to meet you and I do recommend you open a Steam account, however your kids might be orphans if that happens. Lots of love from River.
Loved hearing from you! Nate is always telling us how wonderful you are, and he sure wasn't exaggerating.
Welcome, Melissa!
And how very cool that you are named for one of the most healing, relaxing and tasty herbs on the planet, melissa, aka lemon balm.
Please do indulge your writing when you get the chance . . . you may find that @mariannewest's 5-Minute Free Writes are up your alley, or you might prefer to join one of @vdux's haiku contests, or simply do your own thing for as much or as little time as you care to, whenever the fancy takes you.
We have some wonderful communities here, so I have little doubt you can find a perfect fit, and Id love to welcome you aboard.
I can relate with your OCD side and Nate's more freewheeling side, as I'm a combination of both, the left brain researcher and the right brain writer and artist.
And, happily, my husband Marek is as well, though truthfully we're both skewered more to the right brain side as musicians, but we both go back and forth.
Wonderful to make your acquaintance! Have a wonderful weekend!
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I have just one burning question: do we all get to have our significant others interviewed LOL and do I have to choose only one? That "it's complicated" thing is real! Always enjoy the perspectives about homesteading and permaculture.
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