Summer is in full swing here in my little island town in Maine. The ’summer folk’ are arriving and boy are things getting busy. We have had a swell of berries coming in from local farmers and neighborhood kids alike and are getting so many MORE of our veggies from the island and the rest of Maine. It feels SO GOOD to know not only how fresh the food is but to get to know the people growing it and to see the community have the living pulse that is ‘eating your view’. There are a number of things we do at the store that also make us a sort of living ‘organism’ and sustainable. Since I am in charge of produce, if any fruit or veggies bruise or start to wilt, I bring them back to our little kitchen. The crew then bakes pies, muffins and coffee cakes with the fruits and soups, salsas, and dips with the veggies. It blows my mind thinking about what big grocers must throw away!!!

Now I do have to share a little bad news…there was a rather large fire here this morning (well of historic proportions here) and 7 of the buildings on Main Street were either destroyed or badly burnt. This little town really pulled together to put the fires out-when fresh water ran out, they began pumping in salt water from the nearby harbor. Clothes were immediately donated to the 18+ seasonal workers who lost their residences. This, in my mind, is a foreshadowing to how life will be when we go back to small communities. We can use our knowledge and experience handling a global community without abusing it as we are now…just my opinion…and hope. Life is love!!!

PS-The sky just opened up with some of the hardest rain I have ever heard…I am sure that fire will be out…the universe always seeks balance.

-Julie