CSA News Letters

The Long Hungry Creek Current 10/22/07

Fire...

It’s a warm, sunny afternoon. Just warm enough to keep the chill away when the sun is high. The summer humidity is gone, and I know this not because I checked my hygrometer or consulted the weather channel. It’s in the shade of blue that dominates the sky- rich and deep. It’s in the smell that visits on a passing breeze- musky but sweet. It’s in the chill that creeps up as the sun drops low in the sky.

The light turns to gold and the shadows get long. It’s time to grab your favorite warm, comfy clothes and go to the spot. Then you see a familiar and comforting sight, a ring of stones surrounding a shallow pit. Inside, a purposefully placed pile of sticks awaits. Light the tinder bundle and place it under the sticks and in moments, a fire erupts.

Waves of warmth spread out in concentric rings around the fire, happy to share with all who are present, happy to hypnotize as well. Even the most talkative souls eventually settle into a staring match with the flames and coals. Dancing, glowing, begging our full attention. It is in these moments when universal wisdom and personal revelation can be gifted to us. It may even be why we stare so longingly into the fire.

Find a stick, and burden it with all of your troubles. Then thank the stick for its service and cast it into the flames. Watch as your troubles drift away as puffs of smoke, and are replaced by the warm glow of a good fire.



The next Potluck will be held this Saturday, October 27th. While completely informal, plan to arrive around noon. There is no obligation to stay, but the potluck will become a halloween party and will continue into the night, and there will be fire, music, and perhaps a few good costumes. Bring a tent if you want and stay the night. Directions to the farm are on the website- http://www.barefootfarmer.com/directions.html
Sandor Katz and Laura Button will be giving workshops at the farm on November 3rd. Sandor is a fermentation guru and the author of ‘Wild Fermentation’, and his new book, ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved’. Laura owns ‘Journey to Bliss Raw Foods’, based here in middle TN. Free- (but donations are welcome).

--Alan

Here are a few links that may interest you:
A whole host of Swiss Chard recipes- http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=chard
Organic Consumers Assn. article about Methyl Iodide, a dangerous pesticide- http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=15898
Kilowatt Ours, a documentary by a local filmmaker- http://kilowattours.org/

The Harvest

Sweet Potatoes, Daikon Radish, Komatsuma, Turnip Greens, Mizuna, Butternut Squash, Arugula, Sorrel, Swiss Chard, Potatoes, Parsley, Basil