About Learning And Yearning

Learning And Yearning is about a journey.

A natural living journey away from grocery stores towards organic gardening, foraging, and local farms.

A journey away from pharmacies and commercial products, towards herbalism, home remedies, and do-it-yourself soaps, cosmetics, and more.

If you’d like to come along for the ride, sign up for my newsletter below; it’ll be fun!

Susan’s Personal Story

My grandfather was a sheeny from “the old country”. He died before I was born, but when I was growing up, a “sheeny man” would travel up and down the alleys of Scranton picking up discarded junk. Sometimes he was called “the rag man”.

Sheeny is a derogatory term, but I was proud of this grandpa I never knew. I became a sheeny when I was two. Mom would throw things in the garbage; I would pick them out.

I’m still a garbage picker and our home is full of beautiful things both my husband and I have “rescued”.

The horn my Grandfather used when he was a sheeny.

Both of my grandmothers were gardeners, so I imagine that my passion for gardening has also been inherited. My interest began when I was around 8, but I started my first real garden when I was 16.

I read The Postage Stamp Garden Book and began in earnest. I dug my family’s entire (small) back yard and planted every inch of it. I’m still gardening and still learning.

Who knew I would grow up, start a blog, and write a gardening eBook of my own!

Sunflower Seedlings

And from my Heavenly Father, I have inherited, among other things, my love of Creation.

I never tire of a glorious sunset, a gorgeous view I’ve seen a hundred times, or the breathtaking beauty of foxglove growing in my yard. They point me to God who is the Maker of all things.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” Romans 1:20.

My love of Creation has inspired me to be a good steward. For me, supporting local farmers who use organic methods, moving towards home medicine when possible, foraging and even making my own soap are all part of that.