Washblog || Gonzalez' Resignation, Burner's "Burn Bush", and the Bellingham Farmer's Market

Gonzalez' Resignation, Burner's "Burn Bush", and the Bellingham Farmer's Market

By noemie maxwell
Mon Aug 27, 2007 at 09:50:58 AM PST
Section: Washington State Topic: Building the base

Ah, Monday morning two thousand and seven, U.S.A., birds singin', glaciers melting, all around us space and stars winking and yes Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez resigns. Will the full truth and accountability for the methodical purge from public service of ethical Republicans like our own US Attorney John McKay of Western Washington ever unfold? Or we remain content with lies? Darcy Burner says "Burn Bush". But there's an endless supply of wrong-doers in this world. As much as we need to hold them accountable and keep them out of power, our problems don't start with them, but from the civic illness that causes citizens to elect and defend them. We need structural changes that, simply speaking, make community life more conducive to nurturing citizens and good government from the ground up.

We do see significant structural changes in progress. The local food movement, the quality food movement, and the resurgence of farmer's markets are big news: strong signs of the innate health of people and communities asserting itself. I believe that the restoration of a healthier commerce -- and a more functional and people-friendly food system -- are key to restoring civic life. This weekend I decided to do some soul healing and visit a friend in Bellingham. My first stop was the Farmer's Market. Below are some photos. And a quote from Daniel Kemmis on farmer's markets and community.

"I believe that the way people carry themselves at the Farmers' Market is essentially the way of citizens, and that referring to the market as civilized is an implicit recognition of this fact. . . We know that most cities through most of history have grown up around markets. We know that people needed gathering places in order to exchange material surplus for deficiency, but also to exchange news, stories, joy, and grief . . As Steve weighs my broccoli and Lucy counts out my change, the whole history of their farm and of our friendship is part and parcel of what we exchange. Moving back through the market, back to the spot where I'm to meet Abe, I see in dozens of conversations around me an interweaving of these life stories, and I find delight and security in realizing once again that this fabric is Missoula, my home, my city."
Daniel Kemmis, The Good City and the Good Life.

"...the whole history of their farm and of our friendship is part and parcel of what we exchange"(Daniel Kemmis, The Good City and the Good Life)	Ryan Zimmerman plays a Bach cello solo. Perfect for a summer afternoon.
Don Dorn, the "worm guy" explains how to use the worm bins. I almost bought one of these. It's a very compact, almost odorless, way to compost kitchen waste and you get not only the compost-- but also a potent fluid plant fertilizer.	I bought lavender soaps and hand cream from Deb Robbins of Dr. Dandelion. Perfect gifts for an upcoming visit to family.
What do you get your husband for his birthday when he has everything he needs? A Shitake mushroom growing kit! I bought one from Alex, pictured here. Cascadia Mushroom Works	This guy's music was beautiful, startling, original.
Ben Hinkle and I talked a bit. I appreciate how Paul has spoken out against the Iraq invasion from the beginning, I told him. (Dave Neiwert's article on Paul's extremism.)	Pat Hirsckorn of Farmside Fare.
Produce at farmers markets is brighter, juicier, and more flavorful.	'Treasure in -- treasure out'. Farmer's market compost is wholesome stuff.

< Oh, those crazy 3rd CD congressfolk | Baird in Vancouver >

Gonzalez' Resignation, Burner's "Burn Bush", and the Bellingham Farmer's Market | 2 comments (2 topical)

Public Markets help sustain me through the chaos

It's a place where I can go and feel commonality, being at one within a community. Hadn't thought about it that way before till you posted your story, but for the last five years while dealing with the emotionality for our family with deployments to Iraq, I do tend to seek out public/farmer's markets as a respite -- a time before Iraq invasion/occupation.

Out here where we live the public/farmer markets are small compared to cities like Bellingham, Seattle, Spokane. Even so, I step into a market and can feel how people know one another, and I feel hope - hopeful ...

Oh, but there behind me is a niggling reminder that Monsanto with 'terminator seeds' and taking out patents on seeds (plant life) would happily poison public/farmer's markets turning them into Monsanto markets.

Save those heritage seeds, respect the farmers who know their stuff and buy local - not local corporate farms either......

"I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Mon Aug 27, 2007 at 02:15:53 PM PST

* 1 none 0 *

Building a better life by noemie maxwell, 08/27/2007 04:33:55 PM PST (none / 0)

Gonzalez' Resignation, Burner's "Burn Bush", and the Bellingham Farmer's Market | 2 comments (2 topical)

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