Savory Sonoma by Stephanie Hiller — September 2020
On equinox, Starhawk, the wiccan teacher who lives in Cazadero, offered a free online ritual to celebrate the changing of the season, telling the story of Persephone, who, as you likely remember, was carried off by Hades, the god of the Underworld, and kept there until Zeus demanded she be let go. Her mother Demeter’s grief had plunged the world into an endless winter, and everyone was starving.
But although he did release her, she was forever changed by the experience, as we are all changed by any experience that takes us out of the sunlit everyday world into the realm of loss and grief. Which is where we all are sitting these days, despite the glorious spring weather — all of us, everyone, of every nation and race, and all classes — united in catastrophe, struck down by a minuscule, invisible virus that none of us was prepared to meet up with amidst all the other struggles of our lives.
We will be changed, possibly for the better, those who survive (and most of us will). And while we are inhibited from helping from one another as we Shelter in Place, we can strive to add no virus-sized dot of animosity, judgment, superiority, criticism or unkindness to the limitless shared field of awareness in which we reside.
Buddhists tell us compassion begins with being kind to ourselves. And so, while we aim for the highest good, and fail repeatedly, we can forgive ourselves, and move on.
And for those of you suddenly finding yourselves stuck home with your children and spouses, this gift of family, this greatest wealth, this may have you climbing the walls with exhaustion and irritation; whilst we elders, many of us living along, tolerate the emptiness of our enclosure.
For whatever we are able to glean from this descent into darkness, may we be grateful.
Speaking of food, our hardworking local farmers are among those whose livelihoods have been affected by the closure of so many restaurants who normally buy their produce.FarmTrails has gathered some information about farms that are delivering farm products or accepting new members into their CSAs. Unfortunately, there are no Sonoma Valley farms listed at the website.
As of yesterday, the Friday Farmers’ Market here in Sonoma was open, as usual, in the morning. I believe there is a farm market in Boyes on Sunday mornings but two weeks ago, on a foggy morning, I could not find it.
Green String Farm, just over the hill in Petaluma, is keeping its regular hours and is doing a crisp business.
Flatbed Farm on Highway 12 near the Sonoma Regional Park will remain open every Saturday from 10-2 . Sign up for their newsletter for updates on current offerings and pick up options. https://facebook.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e17731b35dbf1385ebb38564d&id=8306edd993
You can make a bigger difference than usual by buying directly from farmers, especially during the Shelter-in-Place, which, alas, may go on past the designated May 3. If you’re worried about food safety, keep in mind that fresh farm produce has actually passed through fewer hands than the food at the grocery store!
For the past couple of months, Redwood Food Bank has extended its services specifically for seniors. There’s a.monthly drop off at Sonoma Creek on Oregon Street. So far it has been using the Community Center there, but that’s now closed. Swing by at noon on the first Tuesday of the month, to find out; lots of good stuff, all made available through the Federal Trade Mitigation program, begun by USDA “aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations.” Sounds complicated, and it’s not organic or local, but it may give your larder a boost! And it’s free.
And while you’re surfing online, here’s your chance to weigh in on the city’s project with CalTrans to create better bike lanes on Broadway:
