You know we're beyond the tipping point when...

It became clear to me that we are indeed past the tipping point in terms of things sustainable when, while having dinner with my parents, who are by no means progressive, and in fact can be downright regressive at times, my mother asked the waitress of the fish she was considering ordering, was it wild caught or farmed. When told it was farmed, she chose the chicken. I had to struggle to keep my jaw from dropping to the table, and/or high fiving my 70+ year old mom. Oops I mean 29. Sorry Mom. My dad, ever the joker, said hey, is that chicken free range? Your mom used to think that meant it didn't cost anything. The times they are a changin'...

We had one of those weekends that just confirmed strongly that we made a good decision being here. Well let me back up - Vanessa a few days earlier said she wanted us to spend time with each other in the evenings, not working, not boinging around the internet, not cleaning the house, just enjoying being with each other. So I've decided to be firmer about when/how I use the computer, do work etc, and it's been really nice. We don't always do things together, we may just be reading, but overall, it's been nice, and I'm glad to have a reason to give myself boundaries in terms of life/work balance.

The tree outside my window has gone from having red highlights to being a redhead with golden green highlights. She seems to be losing some hair though too. Too much dyeing? I'm going to go out and do some raking later today. Raking, I haven't done that since I lived at my parents, and my job was to rake the rotten oranges our from under our orange trees. What foul, nasty stuff that was, eeyuck! Now, I actually *want* to do raking, as I find this gardening thing meditative. It helps not to have bug infested rotting fruit flesh to sift through, ay carumba!



So back to this weekend: Saturday we went to the Loma Rica Ranch harvest festival, where Vanessa was working for her company, Healthy Now. She, in the past two weeks, has created a new position for herself there, and gotten a nice pay raise in the process. Her boss said, upon her presenting her ideas on this new position, said that he had high standards, ones that most people didn't meet, not even himself, and that she had actually far exceeded his. Go Vanessa!

While wandering the festival with Vanessa, we heard these great singers, and were surprised to find that they were children! It was the Anderson Family Bluegrass Band. It was a whole family, four children and the parents. The oldest daughter, 13, was up fron, with the two next youngest kids harmonizing with her. This was beyond novelty, they were truly talented! The boy just made me laugh, he would break out in a full face grin often, not able to help himself. He'd try to look serious, but it just couldn't be held back. The father just stood back, working the banjo, guitar, etc, eyes half lidded, just looking so serene and happy. The mother was all action, just moving it, on the stand up bass. I was blown away by their musical skills, each of the kids soloing frequently, very well. One song, the Sounds of Loneliness, had me getting a bit teary, it just hit a cord deep inside...

Something I've noticed repeatedly this weekend, is that people in general just seem to have/take more time with you, just being present. That includes people in stores, in restaurants, and friends in general. It's just so nice to experience this. And over and over, we've been welcomed by so many people. Makes a smile grow on my face...

So after the harvest fair, my parents showed up. And, surprise of all surprises, the night was totally pleasant. No drama, no bad taste in your mouth. Just two parents, happy to see us, and generally in good spirits themselves, and interested in what we were up to, and expressive about how cool they thought it all was. Wow, what a great change. It may have something to do with a big realization I had around my parents a few weeks ago, letting go of some long buried feelings, forgiving them. Not in person, but on an energetic level. But that's another story. I nearly cried when my mom gave me a different hug then she ever has, you could feel she really meant it, and wanted me to know it. Hard to explain, but perhaps you know what I mean...

Then there was yesterday, Sunday. We slept in, just enjoying each other's company, then instead of driving, we walked to the harvest fair happening at Briar Patch, our local version of Whole Foods, or rather, Rainbow Grocery, as it's a co-op market. They had all sorts of local organic farmers, food purveyors of different sorts, and the strangest piece of equipment I've long seen, this machine that jiggles you back and forth really quick, and standing at different angles isolates different muscles. It's like concentrated exercise apparently, only without the cardio part, which needs to happen real time of course, but the rest, sure, including endorphins release. Vanessa was laughing and laaaaughing, and said I WANT one of these! She looked like she was hula hooping on caffeine.

You know you're in a different place when you're talking with an organic rancher, complete with leathered face from a lifetime outside, telling us the finer points of buying a quarter of a cow. Yes, having a particular cow, with the parts you select, cut and wrapped, delivered to your door, 7 cubic feet worth. Oh my. Next to him was a local honey seller, who was teaching the kids about pollination and it's importance. We also met some people I have a feeling will soon be friends, the people behind Garden Fare who just felt like they were on the same page as us, being in their 30s, full of enthusiasm, having their stuff together, grounded, yet playful and curious like kids. Patrick was saying he was more interested in doing then complaining. Here here.

And I think here here is where I'm going to stop stop. Well except to say that after that event, we came home and Vanessa gave me a massage. Life is good...

I don't know if anybody's reading, but it was a pleasure sharing, and I hope you have a great week...