Nettles are like life in the time of coronavirus. They are irritating, then painful, but depending on how you handle them they can be nourishing and delicious. While navigating social distancing, cancelled plans, and a precarious economy, I am drawn to the outdoors and the reliable patterns of nature. In western Oregon we sometimes get warm sunny weather in early spring. I know it's time to head out for nettles when the cottonwood buds burst. We pack some gloves and bags and