Ah, a day at MoLaHo—a time filled with sunshine, hard work, and a sprinkle of unexpected adventure! The air was thick with the promise of productivity as we gathered our tools, ready to tackle the jungle of tall weeds that had taken over our beloved piece of land. Armed with shovels, gloves, and an insatiable desire to create a path, we set off on our mission.

Now, let me tell you, if you ever consider clearing weeds in the midday sun, prepare yourself for a workout like no other! The sun blazed down on us like an overzealous spotlight, and as the hours ticked by, we quickly learned that this was not the ideal time for heavy labor. Dehydration crept in like a sneaky little gremlin, and we found ourselves taking frequent breaks—sipping water and thanking the universe for shady spots under the occasional tree.

With each swing of the shovel, we dug into the earth, wrestling with stubborn roots that seemed determined to stay put. At one point, I jokingly challenged a particularly stubborn weed to a duel, only to realize I was talking to myself—clearly, the sun had gotten to my head! It felt like a battle between us and nature—a contest of wills in which we were the underdogs. Our hands became calloused from the effort, and we couldn’t help but admire the resilience of those fat worms who squirmed their way through the soil, blissfully unaware of our struggle. It was a strange sort of camaraderie; here we were, sweating and exhausted, yet somehow connected to the very earth we were trying to reclaim. In the midst of our labor, I found myself reflecting on the metaphor of clearing weeds in life—sometimes, we must dig deep and confront the stubborn roots that hold us back.

And yes! Just like the rewarding experience of soap-making, clearing the weeds was a labor of love, reminding me that every effort brings us closer to our vision for MoLaHo where we have learned valuable lessons about patience, perseverance, and the beauty of creating something meaningful for others.

But as I contemplated the stubborn roots we all encounter in life, I couldn’t help but notice the little ants scurrying about, seemingly agitated by our presence. They were not just busy at work; they appeared to be defending their kingdom, aggressively trying to protect their territory from our disturbance. Watching them reminded me of the bustling life beneath our feet—a world that reacted fiercely to our labor. After three to four hours of digging, pulling, and clearing, we finally began to see a semblance of progress—our path was taking shape, ready to be blanketed in wood chips for future strolls.

With the hard work behind us, we decided to reward ourselves with a visit to the nearby lake, its clear waters glistening like a siren’s call. The refreshing dip felt heavenly after our sweaty toil, and we reveled in the moment—until, that is, the forest guard appeared like an unexpected plot twist in our day. Apparently, we had wandered into a “no trespassing” area, and just like that, our adventure took a sharp turn.

As we made our way back, slightly sunburned and definitely tired, we couldn’t help but chuckle at the day’s events. We had come to MoLaHo to clear weeds, and we left with a sense of accomplishment, a few laughs, and a story to tell. It’s funny how hard work can lead to not just a clearer path, but also a clearer mind, even if it came with a side of unexpected mischief. With our path taking shape, I can already envision future gatherings—nicely welcome people on the freshly laid wood chips, laughter echoing through the trees, and perhaps a few more unexpected adventures along the way.

Here’s to Saturdays at MoLaHo—may they always be filled with hard work, laughter, and maybe just a hint of adventure! 🌿💪🏞️