I should be at the market this Sunday. I also am going to be in Portland for a good stretch in early April, I believe from the 3rd through the 15th. And for at least part of that time, I should be staying in SE, so not far from where you are. Let’s see about getting coffee or a beer at some point during that time period, if it works for you.

Interesting on your chickens. One of the farms I worked for was leaving the coop door open at night with their personal layers by the house. A small flock of sheep also were in the same area as the chickens, and they often slept near the coop, so that seemed to help deter raccoons. But eventually, some of the hens were taken out, so I think they’re back to closing things up. Could be that the right predator just haven’t discovered your set up. But then, it could be that they’re not hard up for food, they don’t hang around your place, or the ecosystem’s just choosing to smile upon you.

I’m always intrigued by how these things settle out. I remember reading about a culture that would place a few small bowls of sugar around their homes (perhaps in a David Abrams book?) to please the local spirits. The result of it was that it kept ants out of the house–they had food outside, no need to come in looking for it. I remember also talking to one of the local farmers about putting livestock that had died out into a designated bone yard field for the coyotes. The offerings seemed to help cut down on attacks on live animals.

I don’t know that you’re doing anything like this, it’s just one of those things I sometimes think about in regards to this subject. Force and control don’t seem to me the best way to live, particularly when there might be alternate options of entering into action-based agreements with the ecosystem.

For me, Druidry is providing the myths that I’m using to heal my fractured psyche that’s been inherited by living in our anti-culture. It’s providing all of the symbols that I need to paint a spiritual world view. But most importantly it’s main principle is one that I’ve always felt and agreed with. Nature is sacred. I think if you believe that, if you believe that nature is sacred and bigger than man and can’t (and shouldn’t) be controlled and conquered, than you could be a Druid if you felt the calling.

On the issue of food; we agree 100% with one another. Funny with the chickens. I have 15 birds, and their coop is a 10X10 dog kennel with a tarp roof. I’ve had them since the spring of 2012. The past couple of months I’ve taken to leaving the coop door open permanently. I haven’t lost one bird to predation yet. I don’t know if it’s because they can flee predators at night or what? Maybe I’m just lucky and predators haven’t figured it out yet…but I can’t figure that out either. It’s strange. I named my residence the “fox den,” so maybe that’s got something to do with it?

Food is amazing to me. Obviously, it’s one of my main interests. I use it continually for examples and it’s what my work’s rooted in. But I was thinking about this today in regards to some of the comments over at JMGs about relocalization and community, and I just love that food has taken the lead role in that. For one thing, it’s perfectly natural–it’s one of the most basic supports of a local economy and community, it’s universally needed, and it’s just one of the most elemental aspects of being human. But it also just makes sense to build from. You start from food. Of course you would. And we never completely gave away the food system, close as it’s gotten. Gardening has always been one of the most common past times.

The thing that I think is really hopeful about food being at the center of relocalization is that it’s an issue that can connect people across their political and ideological divides. You get liberals and conservatives and people in between and on either side and somewhere off in the ether who all give a damn about where their food comes from and think it’s important. And you can connect with them on that and start to understand that even if you have different opinions about a variety of issues, you’re still both human beings, and neither of you is evil. It doesn’t always work out that way, but I certainly have seen that process, and been a part of it, too. I think that’s good and important, because getting past those divides is going to be one of the main challenges with rebuilding communities until—as noted over at TAR in the comments—the necessity of survival shows stark the pettiness of many of these divisions.

Yeah, food’s going to be one of the biggest focal points. It’s a huge issue and it’s one of the most basic. I’m happy to be in the midst of it—I get to do good and important work that I love, plus I probably have some good job security, even if it only provides a basic level of living. But that’s really all I need and want, and there’ll be a time in my lifetime where that’ll be something to be cherished.

I had to look up Imbolc. Thank you! I suppose it has been. I’ve just been reading and writing, drinking too much coffee, and enjoying the hell out of winter. So nice to have this down time. One of these days, I’ll be better on top of my seasonal celebrations.

Yes, let’s do that cup of coffee. I still haven’t even been in since I think you last mentioned it. I’ll be in town a bit past the middle of February, but I haven’t solidified the number of days and I don’t know if I’m going to have much free time or not–but hopefully! I’ll keep you posted. Would love to hear your thoughts.

I’ll be working the Hillsdale Farmer’s Market from 10am-2pm tomorrow (Sunday.) I don’t know that you’re anywhere near there or would have the time, but feel free to stop by and say hi. I’m at the Meadow Harvest booth.

I had some elk liver last year at one of the farms I work for. It was from an elk fresh killed that morning and I must say I enjoyed it quite a bit. In fact, might’ve been the first and only liver I ever ate, though I wouldn’t swear by that. I keep meaning to try some of the lamb and beef liver from the farms I work for. I know it’s incredibly good for you, and it’s a cheap cut as well.

It’s hard to get away from the convenience of the store. I still do it myself, though I’ve cut back. I keep meaning to get a steady supply of home-baked sandwich bread going, but I always seem to end up picking up a loaf or two of Gabriel’s when I’m in Portland. It’s a local bakery there and I just love that stuff. And I have yet to have great luck making good sandwich bread at home, though I really haven’t tried that hard yet. I’ll get it eventually.

Definitely get on that orchard this year, and use those blackberries again. I’ve been enjoying the hell out of my blackberry jam and apple butter. The apple butter’s been going into oatmeal of late, along with some honey from the farmer’s market, a big pat of butter and some raw milk. Makes for a heck of a good breakfast for when I’m not eating my usual two eggs and toast.

I’ll be interested in hearing how the chicken flock goes. Just make sure you have a good set up to keep them safe! The chickens are getting taken out left and right over this way, which seems to be typical this time of year. Raccoons took out all but one at one of the farms I work for, and they got a bunch at a friend’s place, too. The other day while I was working at my other farm hand job, one of the layers was killed by a hawk in the middle of the afternoon. Not sure why she didn’t get under cover–maybe she just wasn’t paying attention.

Yeah, it’s been interesting getting the feel for communication out here. It’s still pretty liberal, but there are certainly some more conservative-minded folk out this way, and at least one of my employers seems to skew more conservative in certain regards, though he’s one of the least judgmental people I’ve ever met. We’ve had some interesting conversations about politics. Heck, I’ve even told him I don’t think too brightly about our future, and he hardly blinks an eye, though I don’t know that he would necessarily agree with me fully. Anyway, it’s kind of fascinating to figure out how to talk to people and how to connect even when you’re thinking different things.

Let me know how the farm sitting goes! Glad you don’t have any bottle feeding to do, and that there’s one less dog to deal with. As for the mulch and manure–that’s a fine trade right there. I wonder how long until soil amendments are considered about as valuable as gold?

Stopping and reflecting would do our society a world of good. Sadly, we don’t seem that good at it. I think part of it’s ingrained in the culture, in the way we live our lives separate from the natural rhythm of the seasons. Perhaps we all just need to spend a little more time with scythes.