The Hairdresser, The Drummer, and The Cheesemaker

On Friday morning, I had an appointment for my hair. I love getting my hair done. My cousin is my hairdresser, and she is a gift to the world. Allison is compassionate, funny, and she does good hair. I get to catch up with her about family. We have a good time and end each session with a hug. In and of itself, that would have made for a good day. On Friday, I got my hair cut summer-short or bring-out-the-funky-earrings-short.

Feeling a bit more breeze on my neck and having had my hug, I ventured around the block to Earth Rhythms, a drumming store in West Reading. They were having a djembe sale. My son plays a djembe in his school African drum and dance group. I am a drummer wannabe. Our church has drumming circles which I have attended in the past with both of my kids when they were tots. I must admit that my sense of rhythm is creative--shall we say. I get it going for awhile and then I add an extra beat sometimes--perhaps matching my caffeine-induced heart palpitations. But I drum with my joy and it seems such a healing thing to do to send blissful vibrations into the world. My son said he doesn't really want a drum, but I got a good price, so I bought one for myself. (He can borrow it.) It has purple trim around the head and swirling designs carved around the base. Next month when we go to our vacation spot on the top of the hill, I am going to play my heart out. Who knows. Maybe I'll even take a drumming lesson or two.

With the wind on my neck and a drum in the seat beside me, I set out for my final destination of the day--a cheesemaking workshop based on products from New England Cheesemaking Supply (featured in Barbra Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle). The workshop was sponsored by Radiance, where I give my journal writing workshops. I got a new book on making cheese, sat around a beautiful kitchen with other cheese lovers to learn to make chevre and fromage blanc. We chopped herbed, rolled out balls of cheese, and laughed. Then when it was time to eat, I got a plate with multi-grain crackers and the cheese, poured a lovely little California Viognier and retreated to Sarah's blooming gardens and herbal labyrinth. I talked to a sheep farmer/knitter from Maryland and to some folks who are starting an organic vegetable farm. Sarah lent me a book called Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender which is about art and begging bowls and being open to spirit in all its forms. It was one of those days that was a little jewel for the senses.

I imagine circles. My head of hair. A drum. A wheel of cheese. A garden labyrinth. A bowl. Mandalas of celebrations--all of them.

Animal Vegetable Miracle, Part II

I've finished the book, and while I am not going to go out and order my own flock of chickens who are known to lay eggs through the winter months, the book has influenced me to change some of my ways. I am never going to be a purist, but I do think I can work on ways to give my family and me a more intimate relationship with the food we eat and the area where we live.

1. I do want to join Slow Food organization. The money has kept me from doing it in the past, and will probably keep me from joining in any month surrounding the holidays, but the impetus is there, and I will work toward that goal.

2. I will become cognizant of where my grocery store produce hails, and make local choices, when I have the option.

3. I will visit the farmers' stand BEFORE I go grocery shopping. I know they get some food shipped to them, so I will make sure to ask which products are grown on their property. No excuses. This particular stand is one mile from my house.

4. I will give cheesemaking a try. I admit that this is mainly a curiosity, and I would check it out even if it weren't connected to a cause.

5. I will be a more conscious gardener. I'm not saying I'll be bigger or better, but I will put more thought into it and try to engage my kids more in the act of raising food.

6. I will plan more of our meals around seasonal food. I do this to some extent now, but I will be aware of how often I do this and when I veer. I do have a pretty good idea what foods come into season and when, so that is a start.

7. I will look into buying local eggs, meats, poultry, and flour. Not knowing what my choices are, I don't want to promise that I will always buy local, organic, free range, but I am on the lookout.

8. I will look for fair trade coffee. I am looking to cut down my coffee to 1 cup a day and to eliminate the diet soda (who wants all those chemicals) anyway. This is as good an excuse as any.

Some things won't happen. I don't anticipate giving up citrus, fish, or cheese from other countries. I do can and freeze some of my own foods, but I don't know that I'll step up production. These steps aren't mandates, but goals I have for myself. I think they fall within the realm of what is practical for me and my family at this time, yet uncomfortable enough to stretch us out of our comfort zone. Isn't growth-- of animals, plants, and the human spirit--what this is all about?