The lazy amber ball slips slowly behind a distant hill after a long August day spent overheating this little pocket of the world. One hundred or so degrees today. Melted chocolate in my purse. That’s what I’ll remember from today. Walking from store to car, just enough time to melt a bar of chocolate.

“Le Vie en Rose” is playing now though, in the cool apartment where I find myself alone, sitting and still, for the first time since moving in. The Paris-style melody crescendoing through the speakers wraps around me and I’m dreaming dreams, more than I can count, the way I do whenever I hear this song. I’ll remember that, too, when I think of today. At least, I’ll remember it for a couple days…melted chocolate and “Le Vie en Rose” dreams.

And an early dinner with mom over Gram and P.A.’s 70- or 80-some-year-old oak table. Mom’s in town a few more days before returning to the great British isle so, with little other than a few errands and a dentist appointment to interrupt our visit, we’ll enjoy meandering moments that will pass too fast. And I’ll remember this also: dinner with mom, our fresh red tomatoes spreading their tangy juices around our empty plates.

And all that “important” stuff scribbled and screaming at me in hasty capital letters on scraggly scratch paper (STORE, PEST PEOPLE, VITAMINS, CLEAN BATHROOM) begins to fade as the sun peeks through leafy motionless branches, winking at me one last time. The next time I look up, she has hidden beneath the hills, leaving only a glow and reminders of a day.

Tomatoes
Red Peppers
Apples
Cherries
Peaches
Spinach

I haven’t gotten a single thing on my list, I thought as my eyes scanned the broccoli, mustard greens, squash, and green beans in my tote bag. As I made my way around the last few stands at the Franklin Farmers Market, I kept my eye out for a miracle farm that grew all the produce on my list.

“Fourth July. That’s when red tomatoes’ll be ripe,” the broad-shouldered, overall-wearing woman answered in response to my question about il pomodoro. Wiping her forehead with a blue bandana, she said, “Damn frost did it. That ‘n the drought.”

I nodded and picked out two sweet potatoes.

“T’ll be a dollar,” she said while I fished out four quarters. “An’ you’ll just have to wait a bit longer for them tomatoes.”

She chuckled as I smiled and thanked her. She knew something powerful that I was only just learning.

You’ll just have to wait…

Buying from local growers these past several weeks has proven very different from the typical grocery store escapades where I’d pick out every little delight my heart desired. I’ve discovered at the farmers market, my heart’s desires may not be in season.

So I’m learning to take what God gives through the earth, in His season, within bike-riding distance of my home. And on deeper levels, I’m learning to wait with patience and contentment for the desires of tomorrow. To enjoy the feast here today. Besides, fresh broccoli grown down the road is delicious. And tomatoes’ll be ripe Fourth July.

*****

If you live near Franklin, c’mon out to the Franklin Farmers Market. If you live somewhere else, find a farmers market in your area. Here are some super-great reasons to buy local.

*Have you ever experienced a sponge season, one of those times where you, said sponge, are soaking up so much good, so much truth, so much peace, that you can hardly find an empty pore for more absorbance?

I’m telling you what, I’m in a flood as God pours out His truths about simplicity, freedom, dreams and the kind of life He’s calling me to. Can I get a super-absorbant sponge here, please!

Since this gush of excitement and passion seems bottle-necked between my soul and the page, let me at least share the tools God has used to transform my life these past two months.

Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon – This witty true story challenged the way I approach food. As a result, I have found the freshest, best tasting, and most economical fare I’ve ever enjoyed.

“What we could not ignore was the gut feeling more common and more important than policy makers or even scientists like to admit, that things have gone sideways.” ~ J.B. MacKinnon

From Vines to Wines by Jeff Cox – This approachable reference book has opened my eyes to the beauty of winegrowing.

“The intrigue of wine is unlimited. As a winegrower, I have the great pleasure to observe the varied moods of a single wine in its lifetime – on the vine, in the fermenter, during its aging in barrel and in bottle, and in a glass throughout the course of a meal.” ~ from foreward by Tim Mondovi

Green This! by Deirdre Imus – Practical, informative guide to greening your life, specifically your cleaning. A life-changing eye-opener for someone who thought she was already just about as green, granola and thrifty as you could be! (You’ll be hearing way more about my green revelations!)

“Cleaning up my life made sense.” ~ Deirdre Imus

It’s All Too Much by Peter Walsh – Wow! God has used this book to break me of so much deep-ceded attachment to my stuff, helping me see clearly the freedom that comes with letting go.

“…re-examine your priorities and let go of the things weighing you down.” ~ Peter Walsh

“The things you own end up owning you.” ~ Fight Club

Green Living by the editors of E/The Environmental Magazine – Another practical book with tips – and the reasons behind them – for living a whole, simple, healthy life.

“Every time we pull out our wallet, we are casting a vote for the kind of society and economy we want…we vote with our dollars every single day, either for or against sustainability, for or against health, for or against justice.” ~ Ronnie Cummins

And, just for kicks, the Patty Griffin album, Impossible Dream. Soul-stirring, heart-washing music.

As I row, row, row
Going so slow, slow, slow
Just down below me is the old sea…
“The Rowing Song”

You should have seen it; two of these books actually fell on my feet as I walked past their shelves. Almost like they had something to say just to me. So I listened. And I’m listening in deeper places to God, what He had to say about all this stuff. And it’s good. It’s about simplicity, dreams, hope, passion, freedom.

And I am wondering, when is He going to wring me out?

*****

(I know, I know…I said my posts were going to be shorter. This is one of those exceptions!)

*I have no doubt you’re hanging out where I’m at. Please spread the word here at Pendrops about some of your own life-changing “Ah-ha” moments!

I just finished reading an article about Jumby Bay, a set of resort islands you can only get to by boat in the Caribbean. On the islands, you won’t find cars, business buildings or even stereos. Which means no diesel engines revving, bump cars thumping, high rises obstructing, construction work congesting, traffic jamming, appointment keeping, deadline meeting.

You’ll just find white sand, blue ocean, and peace. Also known as tranquility, quiet, harmony, room to breathe. You’ll find a price tag of approximately $10,000 a day, too, give or take.

It made me think about the price of peace. It’s got to be simpler and more accessible than $10,000 a day, right? So, how can I make peace in my home below noisy upstairs neighbors, on the most congested side of town, with so much to do and so many places to be?

How do I seek peace? How do I find it?

In America, and other prosperous nations, it’s easy to think we can buy peace, like a week in Jumby Bay. I have, many times, bought peace in the form of massage therapy, aromatherapy, bubble bath therapy, chocolate therapy, chick-flick therapy.

But peace is different than the absence of noise, chaos, and conflict. It’s different than just getting the neighbors to shut up and watching Sabrina. True peace comes from an eternal place, a deeper source.

Jesus called to His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while…” in Mark 6. He fearlessly entered the madness of His world, the chaos of a moment, and the thronging masses, too. And, in the midst of it, He remained the Prince of Peace.

We may never make it to Jumby Bay, but because He is accessible, so is all that a Caribbean resort island has to offer…and so much more.

******

Look for upcoming articles entitled Green Gospel, What Wine Has Taught Me, and Child’s Pose.