Follow up thoughts

There has been a lot of discussion of the great disconnect that has separated people from the food they eat. Migration from the farm. The rise of processed foods, originally designed to help reduce the amount of time spent by women (mostly) cooking. The migration of women from home to workplace in large numbers and the shrinking (or completely disappearing) window of time to cook after work. There are all kinds of reasons why children (and some adults) don't know that carrots grow in the ground and that "seasons" are actually times of the year when different foods grow naturally in their geography. The disconnect problem is well identified. And I believe we need to care about it and work to reverse it.

I know people who raise virtually everything they eat. These people bake, and preserve, and freeze and are almost completely self sufficient. They are the people of the Barbara Kingsolver ilk, (Animal, Vegetable, Miracle) who have walked away from what others would say is convenience. They spend the majority of their time on all things food: tending their garden, dealing with harvests; planning for planting; reading up on news about how to naturally deal with pests of all kinds. This is hands on gardening by people who aren't caught up in the fast-paced way of life that seems all but inevitable. 

I also know people who are in love with the idea of gardening. Who believe in the concept of being close to their food and who sincerely care about the quality of what they eat. They plan, the plant, maybe even purchase a CSA. But they may poop out. Their garden does what gardens do and grows, but perhaps isn't tended, harvested or even visited because they are busy with other things. Their CSA arrives and if it doesn't contain exactly what they like, they scratch their head and question"what am I supposed to do with this!?" This is bounty wasted. Both in terms of the money to plan and plant on their part and their CSA farmer's, as well as the time that is often in short supply for us all. Sad for all the waste, not to mention the potential guilt/stress that "failing" to keep up with a garden and/or CSA can bring on.

I also know people who don't give a thought to where their food comes from. They assume they can get what they want, when they want it and it will be affordable. This has been the reality they have grown up with in this country. They may believe they are entitled to it and be seriously upset if they are inconvenienced when something they have a taste for isn't on the shelf when they reach for it. Yet more and more these people may find the cost of food increasing and its availability limited. Thanks to climate change and fossil fuel costs. According to the UN, the world is heading for a food crisis. Not the poor countries, the world.

Perhaps those people who live close to the land and rely on their own ingenuity to feed themselves will be ok when the food crisis hits. Perhaps those who are in love with gardening will find ways to rearrange their schedules and their preferences and become more engaged with their food. But in this country those two groups are not the majority of people, so what about them? What options do they have? 

Tempus fugit and choices

View the original image here. 

The old adage about time flying is too true. It seems to move much more swiftly and fluidly than in days past. Perhaps because fewer days lie ahead than behind. Not a lament, just an honest appraisal. Yet for whatever reason, the days slip by and good intentions, even accomplishments, feel inadequate. Just a few more minutes here or there, please. Another day before the project is due. But no, it can't happen.

There is no shortage of problems to try to rectify, experiences to learn from and events to share with friends (most family no longer here). Yet there isn't enough time to do them all, so we choose. And our choices don't always meet with others' approval. Perhaps they see strengths or abilities in us that we either don't see, may choose to let stand, or apply elsewhere. Yet our choices can't possibly meet the approval of everyone because they are, after all, choices. This, not that. Tomorrow, not now. Or even more finally, no, not at all.

Alternately there are the things we say yes to. Yes, this. Yes, today. Yes, I will. Choices we hope will bring us satisfaction at least, joy at best. Your choices may not be the ones I would make, yet your choices are not mine to make. Nor are mine yours to make. Obvious? Yes. Frequently forgotten? It seems so. And there is no guarantee that anyone's choice is good. An ancient Chinese story illustrates that:

A farmer and his son had a beloved stallion. One day, the horse ran away and a neighbor commiserated, “Your horse ran away, what terrible luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

A few days later, the horse returned, leading a few wild mares back to the farm. The neighbor shouted out, “Your horse returned, and brought others. What great luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

Later that week, the farmer’s son was trying to break one of the mares and she threw him, breaking his leg. The neighbor cried, “Your son broke his leg, what terrible luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

A few weeks later, the army marched through town conscripting able-bodied men. The farmer's son was left behind with his broken leg. The neighbor shouted, “Your boy is spared, what tremendous luck!” To which the farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

No event (or choice) in and of itself, can truly be judged as good or bad, lucky or unlucky, appropriate or inappropriate. Only time will tell the whole story and unfortunately, it is rare that anyone gets to live long enough to learn the "whole story." So in this Year of Yes I choose not to squander precious time judging others' choices. With luck, others will afford me the same freedom. And maybe we all will be a bit happier.