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Jenny's Page
Has anyone else noticed that "green", which has become overused in industry and commerce
these days, is slowly being replaced by the more dignified "verdant"? Good Grief! (It's not easy being verdant.)
I was thinking some more about pricing last weekend, about where the idea of low food prices even originated.
My guess is it had to do with an agrarian society transitioning to an industrial one. Way back when ("in the day", as
they say these days again) everyone had their own garden, grew their own food. This work was your life.
You had something that you sold from your farm~ beans, cotton, meat, to have money for things that others sold~ material for
clothes, tools, postage stamps, but you did a lot for yourself. Those selling material, tools and stamps also had a
garden at home. Generally, what you didn't grow you made if you were able.
With the industrial age people spent their time in factories with maybe their wives tending the garden?
If there was no one at home to tend a garden, what then? A new market for food arises, for fresh vegetables.
And in an industrial age someone with big acreage and big machinery can fit that bill. But somewhere in there is a transition
from food that cost only my labor which I didn't think twice about as it was simply how everyone lived, to food
that cost hard my earned money. I think it may have been hard to place a true value on that food without
government subsidy filling in the rest. And I think that maybe the government at that time wanted people to work
in factories.
Now we are more prosperous, money-wise, than we were back "in the day". Now we hear talk of removing
government subsidies. That has to be a scary thought for the big food growers. But we pay the cost no matter what.
Gas prices go up, we pay the cost and we drive less. We use less gas and the prices need to go up again to support the
business that is used to a certain amount of revenue. Someone recently told me that Tucson Water is raising it's rates
because people are using less water. Either you pay a subsidy with taxes or you pay the true cost of an item.
Either way we pay, as we should.
I think I should pay for a class in philosophy of business and get this story straight!
The "farm of dreams" appears to be a realization..
Remember that line, build it and they will come? We used to need that bell at the gate letting us know the customer
of the day was here. Now I can hardly get into the house at all between 9am and noon. The minute I think of heading
back someone else comes. What gratification!
Thanks to Lola, I am finally joining the readers of Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
I hadn't picked it up yet since we've been living that life for quite some time now, but as usual Kingsolver has good insights
and info to share that even us crusty old timers can use. And as usual with good books, I will purchase this one
too, both out of gratitude and need for the resource.
Doesn't local commerce seem like the next step in making it all right? The big guys seem to
have global down in a fashion, and that helps many far away while hurting some as well. Seems like local will help those
now being hurt by global, at least in this country. We have become so detatched from the vitality of Living a
Life by having all of our needs provided by the corporations that we have needed this wake up. Everybody has something
to offer, some skill, some creativity. If we don't use our creativity we become dull and bored. When our creativity
is recognized we are rejuvenated. But it does take courage to put our creativity out there for the world to see.
In the garden building I have a bulletin board with cards of local businesses, from real estate
to reiki. If anyone else wants to leave me their cards, please do. And again, don't forget to check out www.ourcatalina.com for local info.
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| View from our NM house site last summer. (click to enlarge) |
Every Generation's Challenge:
There is something in the works at Our Garden, as there is in millions
of households and businesses across the land. We of the Plentiful Generation, the 60's Rebels, are at the bridge to
retirement. Our kids are needing to take over... horrors! Wasn't it just yesterday when we were resenting our
parents' control of our world? Wasn't it just yesterday that Ronald Reagan was president?
Boy do I see it right here at home. Wayne isn't done with his project
(are we ever?) but Jesse knows how to do it "better". What's a mother to do? Encourage thoughts of retirement
in her hubby and encourage her son to hang on, it won't be long. Meanwhile in this household the garden business is
the volley ball. So with that in mind, I'm asking the plants, my closest allies here, to have patience, to know we love
them, and to provide for all. And they will.
When you see him, please continue to ask Wayne about the house he's building
in New Mexico. With his focus on our retirement Jesse can get this garden flourishing without the distraction of rebellious
thoughts. And maybe tell Jesse how great the garden is while you're at it. Thanks!!
| Abundance in a bag. |
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Abundance:
Over the weekend I was reading about the concept of abundance. The author was Louise L. Hay, and she was talking
about the Universe providing for our needs, we only needing to ask. I think the basic stumbling block for most of us
there is trust. We are told that the Universe will provide us with whatever we desire, so when we say "I really
need a new computer but I don't have enough money" the Universe says, so be it, not enough money. So trust that there
is the money, or that it happens without thinking of money. But then when you focus on just the idea of needing a new
computer, well that's where the Universe can test your patience. So be specific? I need a computer this week?
(only said with assurance, not with a question mark!) That's when the time factor comes in, time not being "out
there" but "in here". Ah the complexities of life!
About 15 years ago I received an inheritance from my grandmother. Not a fortune, but more extra money than I'd had
for quite a while. And it seemed that when I felt no worry about money there was no problem with money, even after the
inherited money was safely invested and not flowing through my hands so readily. I had relaxed and things flowed.
Since then I have reached back to that lesson time and again, and every time I relax about money things flow. I wish
I could spread that all over, because I see so many people who stress about money, often seemingly for good reason.
That's probably how charity can work wonders, by relieving the stress about money long enough to let the abundance flow and
to make more believers in that abundance.
But to have that abundance it seems you also have to put in a bit of effort as well, in order to fully appreciate
the world. And to appreciate yourself, your self worth.
I so appreciate the folks who come in here and don't even look at the price board. They see the beautiful abundance
of food and are happy to exchange their dollars for our labor. And I am happy to send their dollars along in the world
too, to pay my bills, to purchase the results of someone else's efforts. Money doesn't have to be dirty. It can
be a lovely green cycle, a means of exchange.
I also appreciate the people who do need to consult the price list. I've been there too. My son is there now.
That you are willing to take the chance on some really good but outrageously expensive food (compared to Walmart I mean) says
that you value yourself and what you eat, and that you trust us that it will be worth it. In exchange for that trust
we do offer satisfaction absolutely guaranteed. If ever you are dissatisfied with anything we offer we want to know.
It is not our intent to rip anyone off. We'll gladly refund or replace anything. We seem to be our own harshest
critics, especially in the corn arena, so it amazes us that we don't seem to get much negative feedback. But we are
serious about this. Your feedback is the best way for us to improve.
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| the shed bird |
the positive note:
We are fortunate to have so many happy and forward-thinking people visit the garden. Even though short term I am
usually exhausted after having so many conversations in a brief 3 hours, I am reinvigorated for the long term.
Our customers generally understand basic sound environmental practises, and are striving to bring about positive change in
their own lives and ultimately the world. Positive is the key word there.
I am so glad the majority of you are so pleasant, and that you are the ones who return again and again. Many of us
realize that our words are more powerful than just an assemblage of letters or sounds. The ideas we express have
substance, and can contribute to a beautiful creation.
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| Beautiful Rebecca |
Some of you know that Rebecca attended the Desert Institute for Healing Arts and graduated in their
shiatsu program. She will be starting a shiatsu practise, but right now as she plans it out I keep her busy
and employeed taking care of my mom.
For anyone who is unfamiliar with shiatsu, I call it gentle chiropractic with a bit of energy flow. She's
cured my back when I threw it out and I'm now a believer. It just makes you feel good. She chose shiatsu partly because
it is less vigorous than even regular massage, and remember, she works with my mother. But I think she has her eyes
on the future and the future is us!
So, congratulations Rebecca!
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