my tea contraption
I was working a lot, and excited about working a lot because it meant I would be able to transition back to being down on the floor, and not up doing "officey" work. I don't sit well at a computer, and much prefer customer service type things. So I was working on training the person that would be doing what I use to, and getting trained to do some work in produce.... all before I went on what was suppose to be a relaxing vacation in the woods, all by myself after a weekend meditation retreat.
All this was happening in my world as Occupy Wall Street exploded around the world, including Occupy Portland. I am so excited about the Occupy movement, that it makes we want to start a tangent movement.... but we'll get to that later.
The Occupy Movement that is happening all over the word is so inspiring and encouraging. More people are raising up their voices and signs, saying this inequality just ain't right! Going down for the general assemblies is amazing. Sure there is a great deal of chaos, especially if you have never experienced consensus or collective work before, but its still exciting. And the longer it goes on, the more organized and easier to follow it becomes. I'm not saying its perfect. I'm not saying there are not flaws. But come on! People from all backgrounds and interest are getting together and talking about how to change a social structure that is no longer able to sustain it's self, or the people living under it.... literally. People are getting trampled, neglected, and tossed aside.
from Occupy Portland's Peoples Patio
I have a great deal of faith in this movement and I look forward to more participation and seeing how we can all come together for a greater good or sorts.
Well, the day before I was suppose to leave for vacation, I get the call that I have actually been expecting all year. My grandfather, one of my biggest heroes/role models/teachers/playmate was preparing to leave this world. He was 93. He lived a good life. He and my grandmother taught a whole extended family (and those that we touched) how to love. Thankfully I made in time to hold his hand, watch him "dance" to some of his favorite tunes, and say ..... well that is between us.
So instead of a quiet river and woods, I headed for Kansas City. I left Portland (after a great meal at Portobello with some of my best homies) at 11 pm and got into KC around 10 am and went straight to the hospital. I came with my water bottle, tea contraption and coffee mug, kale chips, fruit, and assorted snacks. I tossed in some cloths, but I couldn't help but think "man, being vegan is tough there. Will I make it package free too?" The answer, was "no!" I was close. I did fairly well actually. I had enough snacks not to hit the vending machines at the hospital (wouldn't have anyway for nothing was vegan). I always had my water bottle that I even used when we went out to the juice shop. We went out to eat pretty much all the time, but I did alright most of the time. One bottle of beer, one sandwich wrapped in paper, one bag of chips (in a foggy daze I forgot to order the apple instead), and then frustration at the health food store.
I was running low on snacks, and to be honest, I needed some good solid food. Also, running to the store was my first chance at some alone time since I was sitting alone at the bus stop on my way to the airport.
I quickly learned that I probably could not do the No Packaged Food project in the greater KC metro area. Even the carrots came in plastic bags. Bulk peanut butter.... in a clam shell already... no self grinding. I couldn't use my own containers because they couldn't subtract the weight (why is this so difficult for places?!!!), so I incurred some plastic bags.
One thing I have to say about this journey where I walked, biked, bused, rode the MAX, took a plane, car, truck, and finally a boat... it was soooo magnificent to be welcomed in Seattle, by my friends Jane and Sage, with a warm, healthy, UN-PACKAGED meal when I arrived at their warm and welcoming home! I can't thank them enough for that moment.... And it was on a spontaneous choice in my return flight where I actually ended up leaving from Wichita (Boeing ICT to SEA). They proved that even in a small kitchen, its possible to go package free! Yet, even in big old Seattle they are having a difficult time finding some things that they really want... like raw tahini.
un-packaged in small spaces
one sprawled out city
Fremont brewery... freshest place to get a pint!
I had actually been really afraid that outside of Portland, living package free may not be possible, unless you had a great deal of time to can and preserve your own food. However, it has led me to some other thoughts about community.
When I lived in Lawrence, KS it was totally possible to do this, and I kind of did then. The Merc was an amazing place to shop for a mid-westerner. When I lived in Wichita, my partner at the time and I would stock up whenever we were in the general area. It doesn't have the strict buying guidelines that Peoples Food Co-op does, and it has become one of those "big" co-ops. However, The Merc does have a fantastic bulk section, mostly local produce section, and does a great deal of education and out-reach to the rest of the Lawrence community.... especially with the youth! If you ever find yourself cruising down I-70, swing in for some good co-op love.
So what are my thoughts? Well that smaller communities may actually stand a better chance at being able to do more than these sprawled out large metros. Big cities may offer more options, but you usually have to drive to several locations to get all your food "needs"met.... that equals no biking! Lawrence you can certainly bike anywhere you want to go. Oh and they do have a good brewery Free State Brewing.
When I talk about the Portland bubble, I'm referring to my little community that occupies the NE and SE areas of the city. There are pockets around that, but nothing like this area. We have a beer cart for goodness sakes! And vegan bakeries, juice carts (where the punch card is for bringing your own glass), we have bike boxes at major intersections and the bike lanes keep increasing.... One reason that we have a bubble is because we have a community. We may not always agree about what needs to happen, but we care a lot about each other, the land, our water supply, our food supply, our air supply (and I don't mean the band), all the beings that live amongst us, and the impact our choices make on all those things and beings.
The world lost one more person this month that also cares about all that, and he never even saw Portland, OR (well maybe he did on he and Grandma's genealogy tour), but he did see the depression, some wars, too many politicians, raised 5 kids, lots of us grand kids, a few great grand kids, and touched more lives than I can even imagine. My Grandparents have always been the best recyclers I know... always reducing first... and reusing.
I always knew he played the lottery (got a power ball for every Wednesday and Saturday drawings), but only recently learned why. We wanted to start a foundation, so that he finally could give all the money he wanted to, to all the charity organizations that he cared about. He wanted his 5 kids to run the foundation, but could not make any money off of it. It was all to go to fight for good.
Think I might start playing the lottery, and just see what good can be done. Its a long shot, but so is living to be 90 plus years old.
