Sometimes I worry about prosthelytizing about all of the eco-sensible things I’m doing on my urban farm. The buzz-words like urban homesteading seem to be heavily charged. Keeping chickens is so trendy now; what is going to happen when it falls out of fashion? [And it will; it's just a fad, though perhaps not like chihuahuas after the "Legally Blonde" and "Yo quiero Taco Bell" phase. Realistically, we are going to eat our pets, not dump them on the Humane Society. Blunt, but true. ]
I try to keep mum about changes in our diet, sourcing food locally, home baking, unless someone brings it up. I am lucky that I have the time to join challenges and explore new ideas. I’ll pick and choose the recipes and techniques that work for us, and file the others away for another time. And just because I keep chickens now, doesn’t mean that I’m going to be keeping chickens when I’m 80. [Though I might ... I remember our neighbor out chopping off chicken heads every year, and she was elderly!]
We all went to the farmer’s market last Sunday – it was gloriously warm! I was delighted to find a lovely cheese [Samish Bay Ladysmith], some piquant smoked pink salmon [Loki Fish Co.] and even some salad greens grown a stone’s throw from where my brother lives [Colinwood Farms, Chimacum]. Just a little toss with some olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, and a side of homemade sourdough bread (my new favorite recipe uses rye) and some Tillamook butter.
Farmers Market Salad
It was delicious, only marred by the sense that we were a part of the Portlandia phenomenon, smugly enjoying food we could name personally. There are so many in America who can’t do what we have the opportunity to do, and there are so many people who probably think that this is a bunch of liberal, hippie, unshaven-armpit kind of crap, and would we please shut up so they can enjoy their steak and potatoes?
On the other hand, I’m privileged to be a part of this movement. I haven’t progressed as far as the Dervaes family, Rosalind Creasy, Mother Earth News, my friend Annette, or even Martha Stewart. I have so much to learn. I’m so lucky to have some guides on this journey. And perhaps I can influence just one other friend too, to bake bread, start a worm bin, or source something locally.
Grace you have used gentle persuasion to influence countless more than you will ever know. Thanks for all you do! xo, Annette
Thanks, A! I seem to be making a difference with my kids, who are enjoying ‘chicken-training’. And at least one of them likes veggies. That’s a success for me.
I read a blog post on the Goat Justice League site that Jennie’s son, Spencer had figured out how to hypnotize them. Something to shot for?