Then yesterday I went on a morning walk and ran into the one person I've met in my ward who is my 1-door-down neighbor. She is so kind and it was great to talk to her because like I said, I don't know anyone. But low and behold, she had corn stalks in her front yard that they were selling for, wait for it, 10 cents a piece! That's 10 for $1 rather than the $5 Macey's and Smith's were asking for. Score!
Then after working at a school in Highland (beautiful area by the way), right across the street from the school there were kids selling pumpkins they'd grown at their grandma's. I pulled up in my sketchy red van and picked out 5 orange and green autumn squashes and handed $5.50 over to the young man helping me as he loaded them in my trunk. His mom made sure he thanked me ("Thank you so much!" she added. I think the kids were actually keeping the money).
And there you have it, my fall decor for a steal of a deal and supporting local farmers. It was also empowering to wait for that lower price. As a long-term goal I intend to buy locally whenever I can. Yes, the food is supposedly healthier, but it also just seems more efficient. If you or people around you can provide it, why have it shipped from across the country? To me it has to do with being resourceful and having self-reliance.
It reminds me of my Grandma, who gives and takes from the community. She pays local boys to work on her property. She sells her peacock feathers to a local buyer and lets a bee keeper keep hives on her land and in turn takes part of the harvest and can sell some of it for profit. I believe there is a valuable exchange that is lost in the urban life of Walmart and Costco.
-Proverbs 31:10
Have you ever read the rest of that chapter?
... She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
That's what I want to be like! The prudent manager of a happy healthy home. I'm working on it. : )
