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!
New Mother Nature
This post expired on May 11, 2024.
…Cause it’s the new Mother Nature takin’ over
It’s the new splendid lady come to call
It’s the new Mother Nature takin’ over
She’s gettin’ us all, she’s gettin’ us all…
(Guess Who – New Mother Nature)
Sending out very happy, and love filled wishes to all of the lovely women of our little market, on today, Mother’s Day! Mothers of children, pets, friends, nature…mothering of anything/anyone is a beautiful thing.
I have always been a very open, very loving, very expressive person. Early on, I was always the natural mother of my friend circles. In my different groups, in my different decades, I have always filled that role. I sensed when I needed to stick up for a friend, freely give out hugs, feed souls, listen, laugh, cry, help.
Recently, my old group of pals from elementary/middle school, have all reconnected. Old pictures have been surfacing, fast and furious, on Facebook. Young faces, young dreams, young smiles. Even in these pictures, I am in the middle, arms around everyone, tending to all needs. I was lucky enough to grow up in a neighborhood, the West End, where it was all kids, it was the 1970s, we were free to just be. Our mothers just pushed us all the door, told us to get on our bikes, and that was it. We fended for ourselves. But, I felt that while I was all about fun and games, I needed to keep a watchful eye. The years where I was the mom to friends, was just getting me ready to be the mother to my own Little Miss Sunshine.
My early love of gardening, planting seeds with my grandfather, learning all about his love of nature, gave me a mothering instinct to all things around us.
It takes many components to be a mother to anything or anyone. I like to think that since there is no real life manual, you learn with a dose of love, a dose of compassion, and open arms at all times.
This little market has become my little mothering act of love. From the customers, to the vendors, to the YMCA, to the products. It’s a love circle that needs constant mothering, watching, nurturing…I feel myself, once again, stepping into the natural role of mothering.
So, today, I give you the Sunday market reminder and happy wishes for a beautiful day from the market that I now mother over:)
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam