Carrots and radishes, tomatoes and cucumbers, they were all awash in sunshine last Saturday, and several of them made their way home with me. ( Please the very artistic photos below..tee hee hee). Upon buying my local produce at the market, I was reminded of the importance of community and our connection to the earth and ourselves. Nothing compares to the sweetness of a freshly picked carrot, dirt still clinging to the crevices of that beautiful orange root. And when that orange root of a carrot is passed from the farmer's hand to mine, I feel connected to my community. I can take pride in the knowledge that I am supporting a local family, not some giant corporation whose fields are suffocating in pesticides and toxins.
Another one of my favorite parts of the market: street musician! I was uplifted to amble along the sidewalks bursting with music and voices at every corner. From a folksy group of musicians performing their own rendition of Mumford and Son's "Little Lion Man", (amazing song by the way) to a lone guitarist strumming out his version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" ( and I smiled when I heard someone say "Hey, that's the song from Shrek!") Which is true, but that was the Rufus Wainwright version, but a las, I was glad someone recognized the song! It was just inspiring to see so many people sharing their gifts and beauty and music with Missoula, and it encouraged me to keep diving inside of myself to discover what brings me joy, and how I can give back to the community and share that joy. I have to be an active participant in building my own happiness. And I know that the pieces of that happiness are all around me, but I just haven't put the puzzle together yet.
