Just a note

from the Free Picnic Area

We started this garden way way back in April, with our neighbor Daniel. We named it the Free Picnic Area.

He had this big idea we could inexpensively amend our rocky, red clay soil and grow most of our own vegetables, and even though I’d never had my own garden and knew nothing about amending soil, he was right. The only tomatoes I ate this summer came from this garden—the best tomato sandwiches of my life. I canned pickles and pepper jelly. We had a garden party and took tomatoes and vegetables to our friends. Now we’re growing every kind of green we can think of—kale, mustard, escarole, radicchio, romaine, red and green lettuce, collards, bok choy, parsley.

This essay by Tiya Miles was the most helpful thing I read this week, aside from texts from friends. It includes a guide inspired by Octavia Butler’s Parable series. I agree with every lesson, and I hope you’ll read them.

Miles writes that we must nurture our existing families, and also be open to drawing in new or unusual kin. She advises “calling on community as a buffer against disruptions. Interdependence is necessary for survival and joy.”

I am grateful to the many people in my community who are my buffer. If you live in Chatham, consider getting a winter CSA share from In Good Heart Farm. It’s the best.

Clapping Hands Farm (another Chatham favorite) also sent us this cool invitation for teens and adults—we missed the first few workshops but will plan to join in December:

Handmade Holidays; a studio workshop for people who want to make their own gifts, toys, cards and wrapping paper! Dates: November 3, 10, 24, December 1, 8, 15 with Dec 22 reserved as a weather make up day Time: 1-5 pm Ages: teens and adults (younger campers with a special zeal for making or parent-child pairs will be considered on a case by case basis) COST: Class fee includes materials.

NOTE: This does not include materials for continued production at home and there might be limits on quantity for a couple of projects* ALL 6 classes: $200 (if you come to all 6 plus the make up day, we’ll just add on $30 for that last class at the end of the session)*4 or more classes: $35/day* 1-3 classes: $40/class.Full and partial scholarship available for adults and teens!

(Bea, who is about to turn 11, has informed us that 11-year-olds are teenagers.)

Lots of love from us and see you next weekend.