The Weblog

The local foods movement is alive and well in Champaign County! Here are some updates on other projects while we finalize our virtual market:

Local Producers Map:
Our local producers map is ready for publication and you will soon be able to find it on gochampaign.com. Copies will be distributed around the community, in the local telephone book, and other “hangouts”. The guide lists the location and contact information for nearly 50 local producers within our county. The map was a project of the Local Food Council and printed with the help of some local sponsors including the Monument Square District, Champaign Bank, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and others. It is a great start to finding a local source for Champaign County’s finest!



 
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Learning To Fly


Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I’ve started out for God-knows-where
I guess I’ll know when I get there
I’m learning to fly, around the clouds
But what goes up, must come down
I’m learning to fly, but I ain’t got wings…
Coming down is the hardest thing…
(Tom Petty-Learning To Fly)

Good evening, little local market of love customers…and, more importantly, much love to you!!

Well, it’s been a week. You know it, I know it. As weeks go, it’s been a crushing, sad string of events.

Your market manager was a bit scarce, a bit shy of a lot of posting, a whole lot of upset.

The past week found myself, along with much of my high school class, and classes behind and before me, saying goodbye to one of ours. Gone too soon, once again, the sadness of another one losing a courageous battle. Jenny, our vibrant, blonde, beauty, who still possessed all the love and energy as she did in high school, fought the good fight. She was such an example of learning to fly. She finally got her wings, taking her out of her pain, late last week. Her funeral was Monday. Yeah, that fateful day.

In one day, crushing waves continued to hit. First, a farewell to a friend. But, before that, we woke up to the Las Vegan horrifying news. We ended the day, bidding Tom Petty farewell.

Too much. Too much. Too much.

And, Tom…well, you know my love of music, musicians, bands, songs…and, I take the passing of each musician so hard. But, Tom…well, he was different. Tom was, to me, the everybody musician. A good guy, playing the kind of music that was there for you, each step of the way.

I was lucky to see him perform, on several occasions. I just sat, and cried. I cried for the lives lost, the injured ones in Las Vegas. I cried at Tom’s passing. I cried at Jenny’s passing. So much good, gone in a blink.

Learning to Fly…after my sadness, after trying to come to terms with it all, I kept singing this song, over and over. Playing it over and over. Because, in my life, learning to fly, was the way I lived. Growing up, all I could think about was flying. Flying to the moon, flying to anywhere, flying out of the West End, flying off to find myself.

Later, when I took off after college, moved across the United States, having my daughter, starting my own businesses…life…all life…it’s about learning to fly. I was never afraid of flying. I figured I would either land on my ass, or I would sail to success.

And, then, watching Jenny leave us, watching her try to fly, only to fly off for eternity, and then the other events of Monday, reminded me that learning to fly happens, everyday, in every way. Learning to fly also gives me hope, gives me inspiration, makes me realize that I have a role, in all of this. A role that is to be the best human I can be. I can shelter with love, I can hug and hold whoever needs it, I can carry out the positive, loving vibe that was started before me…

I’m learning to fly…it’s my thought for tonight. An odd weblog, you may think, for opening the market for the week, but not really.

We all have a part. We all can fly. We all can help, love, nurture, lead, protect…and, if my message has never resonated before, I hope that it does now…what the world needs now, is love sweet love…we are all learning to fly…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam