Yep, she is a MOFGA member

MOFGA: Maine Organic Farmers Association

Music Market

I was just sitting out on the back porch having a little bonding moment with Abby (There are fewer of these than she would like since Maisie came along). In the neighborhood directly behind us, someone was playing When the Saints Come Marching In on a trumpet.  It sounded great.  Yesterday Maisie and I were at the farmer's market in Portland and along with the produce there was also a number of musicians: a clarinet player, two kids playing a guitar and a violin, a kid on an electric guitar, a cello player, two mandolin players and singers,  and a drummer with two belly dancers.  They were spread out over the course of the market that wends it way through Deering Oaks Park so they were not in direct competition for audiences.  Maisie seemed enthralled by the clarinet, me the violin.  I am thinking about taking harmonica lessons($20/hour and guaranteed) because I want Maisie to be able to entertain herself and others if she so chooses (and me thinks she so chooses) Listen to these sisters from Sweden. Music is as good company as reading, writing or making  art.  Charity begins at home and so does the "creative economy".

Go forth and make tune for all the world.

"Higher" Education

 
 We went to the Spring fair at The Community School in South Tamworth, NH on Saturday of this weekend.  HE's cousin is the organic farm mananger there.  These photos simply can not capture the beauty of  the valley and mountains. 

Inspired by this experiential learning community, I  built Maise a sandbox on Sunday.  It is not fine quality workmanship, but is servicable quality and I, for one, was impressed (or is that surprise?).
 
 

My hand is one with the earth...

Sowing the seed, 

my hand is one with the earth.

Wanting the seed to grow,

my mind is one with the light.

Hoeing the crop, 

my hands are one with the rain.

Having cared for the plants,

my mind is one with the air.

Hungry and trusting, 

my mind is one with the earth.

Eating the fruit, 

my body is one with the earth.

Wendell Berry

I was told that when she washed her hair tonight rivulets of mud poured forth.

Mother's Day 2009

There is a certain gray, windswept, evening sky that almost always makes me feel homesick ... for my elementary school.  This seems unusual to me as 1) I didn’t go to school in the evening and 2) elementary school wasn’t a particularly memorable time.  As a matter of fact I had school phobia in two distinct episodes, was sent to the remedial reading classes and the school psychologist, and separated from my best friend at the urging of a teacher. However, when I look up at this particular sky (usually in spring) I feel...homesick.  Today has been one of these days.

A friend of mine wrote a short story highlighting a series of Christmas miracles that had transformed her one year and the premise of the story was that we all change history to suit our needs. I’ve been thinking about that with regard to this melancholy longing I’ve felt for this time in my life.  Perhaps it is more about the people who populated my life then, all gone now, but who gave me a sense of comfort and belonging and hope for who I was to be.  This would make sense as I am now a parent and am concerned about imparting this same sense of being to my own daughter.  Anyway, would it be all that bad if all my memories were eventually transformed into happy, pleasant , and life affirming.  Perhaps a less sadistic dementia.  A form that would leave one larger than life versus a shadow of a former self.

The irony of being a mother myself at his time in my life is it comes at a time when my own mother and grandmothers are no longer alive. It leaves me feeling a little marooned but  there is a freedom in it, too.   Still, I can't help but wonder, sometimes aloud, what my mother would have made of Maisie.

Happy Mother's Day to mothers everywhere and of every species.

NO we didn't visit Appalachia either

The continuing joys of gardening with a 16 month old have now gone beyond the boundaries of our own plot.

At least she is good at clearing stones and rocks to make it easier for the actual planting...which will present some challenges I am thinking.