The Long-Awaited, Over-due Update

Hi all! I feel a little sheepish about updating the blog at this point -- it has languished for so long without updates -- is it too late? Is it worth reviving at all? I feel like my life has taken a different turn, and perhaps a new blog, a fresh start, is warranted. We'll see.

So, here's the poop. I've been working at the Women's Environmental Institute all summer as a farm intern. Getting dirty, growing veggies, lots of female bonding. I briefly blogged with my farmer hat on at this url: www.weicsa.blogspot.com. My cohorts have taken over updating that blog, since, just a few weeks ago, I ceremoniously removed my farmer hat (not for good, I hope) and put on my Americorps VISTA hat, swearing my allegiance to my country, "so help me God." My current job is coordinator for the North Circle Project. You can find out more about it at the Women's Environmental Institute's website: www.w-e-i.org. Basically, I'm organizing farmers in the North Branch area to help them network, expand their markets, and maybe, if the winds of change blow just right, build a processing house and state certified kitchen to do value-added products. It's a big job, but I'm loving it so far. I get to talk to a lot of real good, downhome, country, salt-of-the-earth, and just plain salty folks. Spent my 24th birthday at the Wild River Bar, where a guy named Cobb made me an unforgettable drink out of ingredients he made me swear never to divulge. Just me and a few co-workers and a dollar for the juke-box -- what could be better? Yep, country living suits me just fine, and I'm in no hurry to return to city-living, though there's been some rumors about me applying to graduate school.

I do miss the friends I made in France -- Mieko, Tati, Sabrina... Got a message from the mom of a couple young kids I was teaching English to in Toulon. They finally made their big move to Pensacola, FL, and for those of you who know french, she's got a great blog: http://chasse-pensacola.over-blog.com. Reading her messages and seeing the photos reminded me of how much fun I had with them -- It's always the people you meet that make all the difference. Makes me feel a little of that wanderlust coming back. Don't know when I'll have the means to do another big trip, but hope it's soon.

The biggest, most exciting thing in my life, and in the lives of every Minnesotan, is the State Fair! I have finally been given the chance to realize my life-long dream of having a booth at the Great Minnesota Get-Together -- Ya'll can see me at the Eco-Experience on August 30 from 10am-2pm. I'll be working at the Minnesota Grown booth for their CSA day. Maybe I'll see you there! (And, if you need someone to come out to the fair with you, I'm always ready to go!)