It’s been a month since my last horticultural therapy class. This will be my last one in person with my clients from Ann’s Place till the Spring. I am putting together a mash up of my Fall Festival and Dream Pillow classes to make up for lost sessions.

It is a crisp, windless day for a full class of 15 clients. I spread the materials over the four tables I set out for my clients just in time for their arrival.

“Would you like some mulled cider?” I ask the first to show up.

“Absolutely,” says Lisa, shivering just a bit. She warms her hands on the warm cup of spiced liquid while she peruses the different sachet covers that Juana has made for the exercise.

Other clients file in each accepting a cup of cider. A full patio.

“Thanks for everyone showing up today,” I start. “We will be making dream pillows today using the following herbs: catnip, calendula, chamomile, cloves, hops, jasmine, lavender, lemon verbena, marjoram, mint, mugwort, rose and rosemary.”

I then tell the group the individual properties of each and then eight different recipes ranging from quiet sleep to amorous dreams. The only warning I give them is not to include mugwort in any sachet that a child will use: the experiences could be much too vivid for a comfortable slumber.

Everyone starts to smell and sample different ingredients for their dream pillows. “Can I add a bit of cinnamon to this mixture,” asks Kate? “You can but cinnamon is erotic to men so that will create a bit of an overtone to your mix.” Kate shakes her head and grabs a piece of cinnamon stick to crush.

Most clients label and decorate the muslin bags that hold their mixes that are placed inside their covers. Finishing up, I ask the group, “Ready for pie?” All nod their heads in agreement.

I bring out two pumpkin pies and whipped cream. Clients continue to top off their mulled cider cups and take a slice and varying amounts of whipped cream. A fitting end to our on-site classes for the year.