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| ol' white stuff aka gramma in the field, dust bathin', bug eatin' generally looking for the action |
A couple years ago I dropped a friend off at the Tule race, annual event at clear lake-where tule reeds are bound to make a boat and particicipants will race eachother in the water. The local pomo tribes keep the tradition alive We got there after the race occured, but in time to sit in and listen to some local history, gossip and stories. The topic of finding arrowheads came up. I have found a couple pieces of worked obsidian in the fields after making beds in the spring, pocketed a couple and placed on the window sill to admire the fine craft and handwork.
The woman said "you know what you do when you find an arrowhead on the ground? ...
you leave it there."
"see, each thing we make carries our signature, and as a people of the earth we want to leave our signature in the earth. what was given is returned. when you remove that piece, its like removing us. That's what these museums and archeologists want to do. But that's our connection and communication to the earth they're taking out."
(this is totally paraphrased, and to the best of my memory)
I was kind of blown away. This idea settled in my brain and a slew of questions and associated ideas sprang up.
what about the idea that tools are made to be used?
what about cultural history and leaving a story for future generations? If I didnt know this was pomo land would I recognize the hand worked rock from an unworked rock?
Does a close relationship with the local community and environment quench society's thirst for museums, hollywood, planes and worldly recognition?
What do I want to leave behind?
Leaving the arrowhead in the earth also seemed like a good metaphor for the path of ones own life. If living is only half of the life/death cycle do not get attached to it. what comes from the earth goes back to earth. There is no waste in natural systems.
Also the idea of embodied energy came up. the intrinsic energy of an objects materials plus the energy it takes to manufacture, package, ship, use and dispose of.
Is this like the signature the woman spoke of?
I thought of other items found after spring bed making- namely aluminum cans and chain. hmm. I have a good idea of the story behind those items, and not a story I'd like to continue.
In my own "back to the land movement",( if this is a movement?) I ask myself " what is my signature left on the earth? trash or compost? plastic or wood? chains or feathers? whole heartedness or half assedness?
do my daily choices really matter that much?"
your choice to support our small organic farm is an excellent one. you have proven you care where your food comes from (local), how your food is grown (organic), and by joining the CSA you are embarking on an incredible, edible journey with me (relationship)and all the organisms on the farm organism. Glad you are here.
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| rosa bianca eggplant, about a week from harvest. it really looks like an egg at this point. |
Box #9.
hey, speaking of museums, see what the carrot museum has to say about carrot tops: Eat Your Carrot Green Top. This weeks Carrots come from Ancient Lake Gardens.
Dave and I picked them this morning and marveled at these golden orange roots. they smelled good coming out of the ground. kind of floral. and really try the tops. just a little for me and your health. mix a little into a salad or with basil to cover up the flavor if you dont like. There was a woman at the berkeley farmers market who came every week asking for our carrot tops so she could juice them or cook them. I thought she was a little nutty and possibly keeping cancer away, but I tried them after a while and " hey not bad". Its a taste that grows on ya.
Lettuce: Love Farm. What CSA box would be complete without a head of lettuce? 2nd installment of lechuga de hoophouse ala Teale Love. Jericho, Canasta, and Mikola looking fresh and shiny. Moist and tender. One for you.
Cabbage: Full Moon Farm. The little cabbage that could. Totally a month later than I planned, and super small for all the field time. Love that cabbage slaw! salted and squeezed, nice creamy herby sauce all over it, with some lemon for brightness. or throw some oiled into a stir fry with beets and watch the green edges turn red.
Basil : Leonardis Organics. Not enough for pesto and too much for garnish?! what to do with basil.
slice thin (julienne) and garnish every meal with it. its so good. keep it around for aroma therapy.
add to curry dishes as a generous topping to balance the spicy. check the link for other tasty suggestions.
Japanese Eggplant: Full Moon Farm. Young and Tender. picked a little smaller than full grown to ensure the squirrels dont get to them first. try this eggplant salad with miso dressing. or this one from everyone's favorite- Madhur Jaffrey. Or use them as you would an italian eggplant,( look for those coming soon).
Summer squash: Full Moon Farm. I know I said I planned a mini break for ya'll this week from the onslaught of summer squash, but I lied, maybe next week. A meal with summer squash and eggplant is highly recomended this week. two vegetables I have not been the biggest fan of ,together for a killer combo- unbelievable.
Get some coconut milk and the mae ploy yellow curry paste and you will know what has become my new obsession. over rice with a cucumber salad and its booya village(!) all over your plate. Unh
Amenian Cucumber: Full Moon Farm. A close cousin to the striped armenian cucumber that graced your box last week. Less sweet and full of crunch. great with cheese slices for a snack, isreali salad or in a yogurt garlic dill tzatziki sauce. and armenian joojukh get international with your cuke!
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| rooster? hen? usually the first to get out of the chicken yard. |
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| the little ones mounching on some overgrown zucchini, purslane and amaranth. |
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| first okra |
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| oregon spring tomato almost changing color. almost. |
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| what it do? |
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| what is this? |
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