INVITATION

So it’s official. The economy has been in a recession since last December. And the soon to be Former Occupant is “sorry” that things have come to such a ………..frankly words fail me. Actually they don’t fail me; but I’d have to make up cuss words to fit the occasion.

That said it’s a bloody miracle that I didn’t get laid off long before the Friday before Thanksgiving. You see the dealership where I hung my hat for nearly ten years not only sells cars but trailers and RV’s. The RV side has been slow since the fuel prices spiked but September was good for cars and then things basically stopped. I actually made to about the fourth round. At this point they’re just trying to survive until things turn around. The family owned Ford dealership just up the street closed a month ago. Luckily I’m among the forty odd percent of American eligible for unemployment.

My reading these past few weeks has included books like Stolen Harvest by Vandana Shiva and Hope’s Edge by Frances Lappe author of Diet for a Small Planet. Anyway I have this cockeyed idea. I’m not sure I’d call it a newsletter; collection might be a better word. I’d like to explore what’s happening with small scale local produce, sustainable farming, preservation of local crafts, herbs, plants, whatever. Do it in Word and pass it around on the net.

And since there’s a whole world of information I haven’t even heard of, would anyone else like to join me? I’d love to share this. We’ve got followers from all over the country. What’s happening with craft fairs, spinning, weaving, community gardens, the list is endless. You see I believe that what the nearly Former Occupant calls Democracy isn’t and what small groups around the world who are working to preserve their land, seeds and livelihoods is.

It’s said that it’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. There are little candles being lit in the most unlikely places. I want to search for them, and I’d love some company.