limitations are a blessing

Good afternoon,

Since I live in a house where poultry look in my windows too, I have to share this quotation I read about an artist:

“Who was the wisest person I ever met in my entire life? … It was the graphic artist Saul Steinberg, who like everybody else I now, is dead now. I could ask him anything, and six seconds would pass, and then he would give me a perfect answer, gruffly, almost a growl. He was born in Romania, in a house where, according to him, “the geese looked in the windows.” …Saul said, “There are two sorts of artists, one not being in the least superior to the other. But one responds to the history of his or her art so far, and the other responds to life itself….what you respond to in any work of art is the artist’s struggle against his or her limitations.” --Kurt Vonnegut, Man Without a Country, p. 135

So, the visual of the geese looking in the windows, and the humans looking back, made me chuckle, but this section really moved me for another reason.

It made me think about my limitations, as a person and as a manager at Wholesome Harvest. Normally I wrestle with my personal limitations, and this passage made me realize how they are a gift that refines us and teaches us to improvise, survive, and build capacity from where we are today. So as I work my piece of art-- my life and my life work at Wholesome Harvest, I hope I can "get over" the shortages and make art with what I do have.

Then I thought about how this is true for all people: the organic consumers are struggling with how to buy the safest, best food for their families on limited budgets with limited information, while the organic farmers have grand plans and ideals for improving their farms but have limited funds and time to pursue their dreams.

I am glad we are part of the same masterpiece in progress!

ABCs for Grown Ups

Hello Folks,
I would like to thank Lindsey for working as our intern last semester. We are located close to Iowa State University and have the good fortune of having a college intern every semester. We have had many interns who had a farm upbringing, but Lindsey is our first intern to have been raised on an organic certified farm. It was really exciting to have a second generation organic community member in our midst! Here is a photo of Lindsey outside our offices (did I tell you we have a rural location?)

I read these ABCs for Grown-ups and wanted to share them with you. Unfortunately, the author wasn't listed. Do you know who wrote them? Extra credit if you know what xeriscape means and practice it!

Accept differences
Be kind
Count your blessings
Dream
Express thanks
Forgive
Give freely
Harm no one
Imagine more
Jettison anger
Keep confidences
Love truly
Master something
Nurture hope
Open your mind
Pack lightly
Quell rumors
Reciprocate
Seek wisdom
Touch hearts
Understand
Value truth
Win graciously
Xeriscape
Yearn for peace
Zealously support a worthy cause

Harmony in the Dog house

Hello Community,

I hope your springtime has sprung. The songbirds came back to the farm last weekend, and it is truly glorious to hear their songs again.

Here is a funny photo from my farm. Our farm dog, Lucy is very gentle. She is a big Bernese mountain dog, with a big dog house that my kids play in. The hen laid some eggs in there, and Lucy obliged to loan the house out to her for the duration. Then the kittens decided they liked it in there too. Since the name of our farm is "Harmony Hill", we got a kick out of the multi-species harmony occurring in the dog house.

Have a great week!
Wende