Buy Local

I don’t want to be an occupier. To occupy is:

To take or fill up space (I take enough space as it is)

To engage or employ the mind, energy, or attention of (occupy the children)

To dwell in

To take possession and control of a place

Instead of just taking up space and making a lot of noise, I think that I would like to actually make changes in the way I live, that in turn will make changes in the world around me.

Lately I find my self checking random products throughout the stores I visit for the ever elusive “Made In America” label. It is surprising to me just how many products we depend on that are not made right here in the U S of A. So, I made a pact with myself to look for that made in the USA label and to purchase as much as I can that is made here in the states and or locally produced. For example, if I were to grow my own produce or join a co-op and buy my meat, eggs and milk from a local producer, I would be supporting my local economy. My weekly donation to the grocery store would be drastically lowered, but the local farmer would reap the benefits.

These days, when I visit my small town pharmacy, I not only get my medication, but I also pick up eggs supplied from a farm just down the road; shampoo, conditioner and a out of this world goat milk soap from Sunshine Acres - just down the road a piece and I also buy wine there that is produced in the state of Iowa. Not only do I get great conversation, a few good laughs and great service but I am supporting my friends and neighbors while I shop.

Shopping for clothes that are made in the US can be a difficult ordeal. Most clothing these days is made in other countries, even Levi Strauss. I haven’t bought any new clothes since I decided to shop this way, but if I have trouble finding clothing I decided that I would shop in thrift stores or second hand shops and even garage sales. This way I am still supporting someone local and my money stays here.

I am not just occupying space but actively “doing” all I can to make a difference in our world. If we all make a choice to be a doer, not just a noise maker, just think of how different our country could be.

P.S. I have just submitted an application to the Iowa Valley Food Co-op. Hopefully I will be accepted!

Weather Or Not

Weather or not, this weekend I will put the garden to bed, or at least tuck it in and wish it sweet dreams. It’s time to pull on the gloves (gasp!) and get to work relieving the exhausted tomato and pepper plants, and remove those ever enduring weeds. Time to clean and store the patio furniture, bring in the wind chimes, drain the rain barrel, and clean my tools. Tis the season to stand with rake in one hand, beer in the other and stare off into the next growing season. Once the yard and garden are put away, a new season begins: Catalog season…. Happy dreaming!

Surprise Harvest

After dinner a few nights ago Dave and I went out to inspect the back 40 (40 yards, not acres) we pulled a few weeds and made a few plans for the next growing season. Just as we were about to wander back in the house I noticed  I had a small patch of carrots that I had completely forgotten about. Hiding there in the shade of the Privet hedge, amongst the grass that had nearly taken them over. I sat and took my time digging them up with ... my bare hands of course... a small but unexpected surprise.

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Clyde inspecting the bounty

When I grow up I want to be a farmer!

I remember at 16 listening to my Mom and her friends talk about what they wanted to be when they grew up. At the time they were in their early forty's and to me they were grown up. But now I completely "get" what they were talking about. Now that I am in my forty's I have had  similar conversations with myself.

What am I going to be when I grow up?
What do I want to do with the rest of my life?
How do I get started?

I have discovered that the time to think about this is now, and the time to start making plans is now.  When I realized that in my physical condition that I wouldn't last long running a small farm, I joined the gym. Am I any fitter that I was 3 months ago? I would like to think so and I do feel better about myself.  I also started doing research on small farms and sustainable living and now subscribe to a few magazines, two of the most helpful to me is Mother Earth News and Grit magazine. Both of which have loads of information on sustainable living, "how to" instructions and a great blog section. Dave and I did a bit of canning this year, and can't wait to have a bigger garden and more produce to put up in future years. It's also nice to have something we can do together.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Is it a radical change from what you are doing now? Is it something you have always dreamed of doing? I would be interested in hearing how you are planning your grown-up years!

To glove or not to glove, that is the question.

As Margaret Atwood once said:

 "In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." 

 I think one of the best feelings in the world is plunging my bare hands into the fresh Spring dirt. Ahhh; my mind is instantly filled with visions, ideas and plans. I can almost taste that first eagerly picked yet barely ripe tomato. Gloveless I can feel the moisture in the soil, too soggy or too dry?  Is it full of clay or too sandy? A soil test and perhaps a trip to the garden center? (Oh no not that!) On any spring day I can look at my hands and see the labor of my work that has ground into my fingers and  trapped deeply under my fingernails. It's because of this that almost every year my husband buys me garden gloves and every time I lose at least one of them. Of course it’s not intentional, but you would think that by now he would just give up and let me play in the dirt the way dirt is intended to be played with. What are your thoughts? Do you glove up or dig in?