What's in a name....

I once had a quirky but all together wonderful teacher who told me when you are green you grow and when you are ripe you rot.  What he meant by that was to never assume you know it all and to always seek to learn something new.  I had another professor who told me I should do a Sudoku a day to keep my mind sharp, and quite honestly I do and I'm not sure it has helped yet, but stay tuned.

This is the first of what I assure you will be many posts; so bear with me if you are following this blog and are not in my studio class. I have what has been called organized chaos in my day to day life meaning I have goals, and I always accomplish them, but I have been known to take the long road.  To tell you the truth I wouldn't have it any other way.  I have experienced so many fantastic things thanks to my crazy round about way of doing things.  Don't mistake what I am telling you about myself as being ADD or ADHD, I assure you I do not have a problem with my attention.  

When I was a little girl I read the classic story about a girl named Ann.  In Ann of Green Gables I read a line that I have truly not forgotten since I was about 8 years old.  Ann tearfully stated to her Aunt who cared for her that She might make a lot of mistakes, but she never makes them twice, and one day she will have made all the mistakes and will accomplish great things.  I sincerely hope I do not make every mistake there is to be made, but I vow not to make the same mistakes twice.  So through this blog I promise you I will make mistakes and I promise I will learn from them and evolve this blog into a compilation of things I find to be quite interesting and I hope you find them interesting too.

I want to start things off locally, here in Starkville, Mississippi.  I want to showcase something that has blossomed since I moved back here in 2009.  The Starkville Community Market.

At first look it truly doesn't seem like much, but brother, if you had seem what it was before you'd be pleased.  It was the most potholed, broken glassed, rubble ridden lot you have ever seen.  now it is a weekend hub for local crafts, music, produce, and goods that draws regulars and newbies alike.

http://www.starkvillecommunitymarket.org/ 

I myself have been known to buy fresh herbs and canned goods there.  Starkville doesn't have the only Public Market, Columbus has a very popular Farmers Market with a loyal fan base.

Farmers market are really growing in popularity and you can find ones all over the country at http://www.localharvest.org/.  There is also a great website for the American Community Garden Association (communitygarden.org) which if there are any in your area often have great information on participating in local markets or personal and community gardening.

I hope this is helpful in leading you on a path to healthy living and supporting local growers and businesses, it's something I feel strongly about and love to share with anyone who'll listen.

Also if you are an NPR nerd like myself there is a wonderful broadcast on Saturday evenings after a Prairie home companion called Thacker Mountain Radio.  It is a broadcast out of Oxford, Mississippi (be nice) with readings from southern authors and grassroots kind of music.  it is sometimes enlightening and always entertaining.  So next time you are sitting around on a Saturday evening, pop yourself a cold one and tune into NPR for some good old down home entertainment, you might find yourself laughing, tapping your foot, or just plain enjoying it.

Thanks for tuning in, and until I have something else to rant about (give it 2-3 days) be kind!