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!
Swingin'
Gonna hitchhike to the yellow moon…
(Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
Happy Monday, market customers!
I’ve been a bit MIA, this past weekend, as I have been doing so much behind the scenes work, leading up to dinner on the farm with Hippie and the Farmer, in conjunction with the Roadfish Bicycle group/Pan Ohio/and The American Cancer Society.
Lots of expansion projects, updates, painting, staining, organization, etc…
Anyway, as you know, this is why all of my products, as well as Hippie and the Farmer products are on vacation mode, but you still have so very much to choose from!! So, don’t forget to order all that we have to offer!!
Last night, once I got home, cleaned up, and got dinner prep underway, I took a glass of wine down to one of my hammock swing chairs, for perfect viewing of the sunset, and then the most amazing crescent moon.
I love ending my days in one of the swings. And, as I swing, I remember growing up, in the West End, of my hometown, and riding my bike to my grandparents. Long time customers know my love of where I grew up, and of my grandparents who many times acted as my parents, and lived up the street, and around the corner.
My grandfather had built the most amazing swing, and little shelter area for my grandmother. Even as young as 5 years old, I knew I could jump on my bike, and find my grandmother enjoying her swing, each evening of the summer. I would show up, and get in the swing, with her, and we would either talk about my day, her day, or about nothing at all. We would plan shopping days, or we would talk about any upsets I may have had…we would eventually drift into her kitchen to break open store bought iced oatmeal cookies, and RC Colas in her icy frozen metal tumblers. She would call my mother to tell her I was at her house, and many times, I would just stay the night in their guest room.
Even into college, when I would be home on breaks, we continued our swinging rituals. Less frequently because I was working summer jobs, going out, and busy with life. But, every chance I got, I would go visit her.
My grandfather always just let us have our time. Personally, I feel it gave him an excuse to work on late night projects in his work shop without any interruptions.
Anyway…I thought about her, a lot, last night, as I was swinging, and about how without her knowing, she taught me how to wash off the day/ignore outside noise/solve problems, all with a spell of time in a swing.
It also reminded me of this market, and it’s constant, easy, flow…the friendships, the life stories that unfold with each customer visit, the music you all share with me, and just the general support and love that you give this market. It’s like a gentle evening, on a relaxing swing…
Thank you, for always being a part of this little market community. We realize that there are now 1,000 choices of food delivery services, and online food ordering services, but we appreciate that you still keep this little market in your hearts.
Here’s to Monday…remember that the market closes for ordering, tomorrow morning, at 8am…
And, hey…go find a swing…it’s good for your soul…also, dig into this Tom Petty tune…it’s one of my favorites…
XOXO,
Cosmic Pam