local hope

yesterday's sunrise,

looking up the driveway, across the road and 

into our neighbor's meadow.

We're in the midst of yet another snowstorm and more depressing news from Washington, DC. I can't be the only one feeling a bit fatigued, am I?

There are two proverbs that I am trying to keep front and center these days...

The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.  -Chinese proverb

One may go a long way after one is tired. -French proverb

In the midst of these challenging times, Batman and I are making an effort to find more kindred spirits. We have been lucky to spend a few evenings with local folks and come away feeling uplifted and energized and even a wee bit hopeful.

Perhaps reading about these experiences will inspire you to go in search of hope, or maybe you have encouraging stories of your own. Please be sure to share them in the comments, below. I would be ever so grateful.

There is a local not-for-profit group called BALE which is sponsoring a five part series titled Localize the Economy:Build Resilient Communities. The first gathering included the viewing of the film called The Economics of Happiness with a discussion afterwards with one of the filmmakers,  Steve Gorelick. Parts of the film were difficult to watch as it highlighted the role of big business in globalization and the destruction of traditional cultures and the environment. But it also called us to see the possibilities of a very different paradigm--an economic system based on localization. If you are able to view this film in the future, I encourage you to do it!

The next week (this past Wednesday), BALE organized Know Your Farmer, Feed Your Farmer. A local church donated their kitchen facilities and space to sit 100 people for an amazing, free dinner (donations welcomed, of course). Sarah Natvig, owner and chef of The Black Krim Tavern, cooked the entire meal, served family style, from local ingredients.  The crowd was delightfully intergenerational, and several of the younger farmers were invited to stand and share stories of how they got started. The gathering and honoring of these young folks was absolutely hope-filled and inspiring.

We look forward to attending the remaining events in this series.

Last week we also attended a gathering at our local public library dedicated to The Bill of Rights and You. Local attorney Kelly Green, who works in the state's Defender General's office walked the crowd through a fascinating two-hour discussion of past and present issues related to our rights. Entertaining and smart, Kelly kept the crowd energized and engaged. Kelly believes that, "the Bill of Rights is working as it should" in these tumultuous times. Our dog-eared copy of the Constitution has been sitting in plain sight since last fall, and we refer to it with renewed interest since Kelly's talk.

You may have noticed my new blog header. Inspired by an online e-course I took via Portland illustrator Lisa Congdon, I have a fun idea. I'll share with you tomorrow, as we change the calendar page to April. 

Because...spring has surely got to show up one of these days, right?

xo

gentle reminder...you will find answers to your comments in the reply section of the post where you left them. i do appreciate our conversations there. :-)