getting used to Ithaca

I am liking Ithaca more and more. It is like a cute little neighborhood in Saint Paul or Minneapolis. There are lots of bodies of water and green space, lots of local foods produce markets, lots of gardens and big trees. Lots of different little events--dance, yoga, chanting, talks on eco-agriculture and international situations, big speakers, workshops on things like non-violent communication. Everything is close, you can walk to so many places. I like knowing I can step out my door and walk for five or ten minutes and be somewhere--it feels homey. Not like the city or suburbs where you might have to bike for thirty minutes to get to where you want to go (though I never lived that far from most things I wanted to do--always was within walking distance of a coop)

It is also SO warm, which I love. The high was 89 today--incredible. I can't believe everyone thinks it's so cold---we are in the north and it is fall! Also, everyone has said the last few winters have been weird. The snow doesn't stay and randomly there are a few days where it would get up to 7o. So it will be warmer for sure.

Have been doing lots of sprouting--chickpeas, lentils, alfalfa, sunflower. Am trying out fennel seed. I have been keeping everything clean, and as long as fruit is in the fridge or outside, the fruit flies are kept to a minimum (even with all the sprouts). I am thinking about growing kale--I had thought it was too late to start a garden, but the season is longer here. Or I might do in pots indoors. We don't get great light but I bet we could get something. I was also given a pepper plant. 

And I have a non-food plant I was given. It was dying when I was given it. That day, at that time, we were having a conversation about plants. I was saying the plant has a degree of sentience, that while completely different from human sentience, is equally important. I defended the poor plant, that been abandoned and abused. I was joking, but only half-joking. I really felt for the plant. And even though it was nearly dead, I send my best intentions to it and now it is thriving (I even had to re-pot it). Maybe it's all a coincidence, I have no idea. But it is more useful to think that my love for the plant had a positive effect.