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Perhaps to give you some insight

Posted at 8:51 AM on December 29, 2008 by Sareen Dunleavy Keenan (2 Comments)

So here I am, reading everyone's blog entries and thinking: "Did I miss something?" I am someone who likes to take a project and get right down to the work of it. There are plenty of times that I miss out on the details of what is or should be going on.

I am sure I mentioned it, but initially, I did not know what I was committing to with this project. The first survey was something about local food, I knew that. I just filled out the form because I thought they just wanted to have a sense of what is going on with communities around the US. There was a follow up questionnaire, again, I didn't really read it I just promised to keep doing what we have always done. Turns out. There was commitments and blogging. Oops.

That was an interesting conversation at the dinner table. Hi Honey, I think I just signed us up to blog about eating locally. Oh, and we have to have all of our food from with in 500 miles of here. While other families were thinking and wondering, can we or should we do this? What will this really mean? I came home and said we should make a life changing decision just as easily as one would say "I think we will order a pizza for dinner." Good thing Brendan has a sense of humor.

And lots are talking about the lack of publicity or support. Again, I feel like hmmm.... what should we have gotten? I think there were promises made, but heck, I was too busy doing to worry about the details of how to do it. Sure I thought I might get to meet Lynn, or that there would be a bit more known about the project. Plenty of people asked me from day one. "you are going to do what? And you are going to get nothing for doing it?" Yep. If we even get the word out to one person. Heck, if blogging keeps us on track. Whatever works, ya know.

It is weird. I had this moment when I was at the store. This whole adventure is coming to an end - I could buy some Doritos. It quickly faded. I am not a Dorito eater. I don't eat locally because the Splendid Table told me to. I don't eat locally to impress the few people who are reading. We ate semi-locally before the project, and eat mostly-locally now.

It is like most changes I make in my life. I find it easier to make the change when there is more then one reason for the change. I started to commute by bike a few years ago. It is exercise and great for the environment. I eat locally. It tastest better, is cheaper and is better for the environment. I garden. It is a relaxing hobby, produces food and (i am getting redundent) is good for the environment. But there are other things. I am playing broomball. This is great exercise and a social outlet. Brendan makes beer. This is tasty, more economical and a great hobby.

If you can find a way to have more than one reason to do something, I find it sticks better. It shouldn't be just because January rolls around again and you want to try something new. Find real reasons, more then one to do what you want to do. That way, when you are willing to compromise on one of the goals, the other is there to support you. There are plenty of days I think about a quick and easy meal on the go. I never want to take the babies out of the car to go in and get something but the bottom line is, I can't let my neighborhood buisnesses down. If you have ever tried a breakfast sandwich from the Colossal Cafe, you would understand why McD's will never ever ever cut it. I am hungry just thinking about it.

I could go on. I have a lot to say. But the bottom line is, the Keenan family is apparently made up of "do-ers." When the work needs to get done, we roll up our sleeves and get it done. In my world, once you are getting dirty and getting into a project, the size of the project doesn't make much of a difference. We had lasagnae for dinner last night. There is only a little more work involved to make four pans instead of only one. So that is what we did. The results? Delish.

Just like my posts never end where they started, this project hasn't either. Things evolve over time and I think it is in my nature to just go with them. Hopefully this has been a welcome addition to some people's blog reader and I haven't revealed too much of the crazy that lurks in my family walls! We are normal people 99% of the time! Take care.

Comments (2)

Sareen,
Thank you for having been on the journey. I hope we can continue the conversations somehow.
It would be nice if we could have a reunion!
Best,
Paulette

Posted by P. Thompson | December 29, 2008 2:41 PM

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that I did the same thing that you did with the survey. I never checked "yes" or "no", but conintued with the survey. I fell into doing something that I had already started to do and had become interested in doing more of it. I had read the book Plenty and I knew that I would not be a 100% locavore person. I have to have my coffee so I follow the Barbara Kingsolver book more.

I thought the blogging was part of the point of the project--to share with others about the project. I am not an expert on being a locavore in Seattle. I have learned a lot and want to learn more. Reading the blogs and the postings has been a great experience.

I do like a banana or a papaya every once in a while. I am looking forward to cooking rice--I have been avoiding it this year.

Best,
Paulette

Posted by P. Thompson | December 29, 2008 3:11 PM