Valley Awareness & Availability

Within my home community, I am impressed that we have a natural co-op and a health food store (besides Freddie's organic section). I have also noticed a slight increased awareness around my community toward sustainability. Recently there was an event discussing solar panels, on Weds there is a small community market, and across town there is even now a community garden. However, I have to say that at times nothing beats going to the valley where my product desires and philosophies are readily endorsed.

On my recent trip I was happy to finally be able to buy new face wash (which I haven't been able to find here, although I can find my natural shampoo and laundry detergent). And I also purchased a Diva Cup, something that only the females would need to know about and something that again is not readily available in stores down here. I happened to be in town up there when the weekly farmer's market commences which seems to be readily supported by the city government as they are willing to shut down several streets for its purpose. The valley also has U-Pick farms and my grandmother's local grocery store sells some produce that is locally grown. A restaurant that I frequent in the valley tends also to focus on locally grown food as well as utilize old buildings for their restaurant locations. And public transportation is readily available.

Oh the fruits of the valley are indeed immense! One morning I did frequent the local Starbucks in order to purchase my favorite Thursday New York Times (which I also cannot find on the coast and which had a great article on Freegans!). There weren't any open chairs and the sun was out so I decided to indulge in my paper and green tea while sitting on the sidewalk outside the establishment. (Which on a sad note, Starbucks doesn't recycle so I had to transport all of my recyclable elements with me in order to dispose of them properly.) However, through my location, I was happy to accidentally hear part of a conversation going on at a table behind me. The couple things that floated my way included local food, healthy diets, and using tote bags at the grocery store. Oh happy day, that people are so readily discussing these concepts! The green movement is on! However it did not pass over my awareness that these discussions were happening in the valley, which tends to be a little more into the whole environmental and health movements.

I am sad to report that I did break down and BUY two new (albeit used) sweaters from Goodwill. I have been consistently wearing the same sweater multiple times per week though and thought it might be a good idea then to purchase another one similar to it. It took 4 hours to convince myself it was okay to even go look, and after it all to compensate I plan on getting rid of a couple other items of my own clothing to give to someone else who could benefit from them. I also was given several clothing items from my sister as we tend to swap clothing back and forth based on where we are size wise.

The entire trip over all really was very soul-fulfilling as I described before. I spent wonderful moments with family and a friend. I got to go on one of my most favorite hikes. I was in a community in which my ideals are readily available and supported. The drive was gorgeous along the coasts, winding along the rivers, and passing through the fields (if you have ever driven through Oregon you'll know what I mean). I stayed with my grandmother in her independent living location which is surrounded by wildlife and I was awakened to geese and ducks squawking every morning. I hiked around the lake there to check out the baby swans and was greeted by happy ambitious squirrels. Overall it was just lovely.

Over the next few days I want to focus on two individual aspects of my trip, but tonight I wanted to just touch base about how wonderful the valley is for its increased awareness and the availability of its resources. Hopefully eventually those elements will transcend to all locations across our globe! Have a wonderful evening and enjoy your surroundings regardless of where you are located!