verge (vʉrj)
noun
the edge, brink, or margin (of something): also used figuratively the verge of the forest, on the verge of hysteria

verg′·ing
to tend or incline (to or toward)
to be in the process of change or transition into something else; pass gradually (into) dawn verging into daylight




Friday, September 23, 2011

Little Eli



Meet Eli.  He's five months old and I walked him today.  He's so cute that I can't look away. 

He makes my eyes water.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Wedding Gift


Dear Mark and Genilson and Everyone who was there,

Well, a week has gone by and I still cry when I think about you.  So does Mom.  I've thought all week about what I might say to you and how I might thank you but my thoughts inevitably carry me back to your garden and that magnificent blue sky above you, leaving me short on words that capture my thoughts.

Every detail was exquisite and reflected your extraordinary thoughtfulness.  Though I was not the least bit surprised by it, I was deeply moved by all the ways you cared for us. I have many favorite memories--the pink buggy, the pails of blue and white flowers, your clever photographs, Ed and Randy so carefully tending to the garden, Timmy's popcorn with truffle oil and truffle salt (oh. my. God.), your menus of music, Sara's poem and Matthew's very profound words, Michael's toast and Andre's charming antics, chatting with Anulak and Mark, Julia's daughters--Julia(!), the town crier, the priceless cell phone moment, waking each morning to the glow of a Provincetown sunrise, dancing with Rachel and Wendy...There were so many wonderful moments I will happily remember for years to come.

But the one detail I cherish most was as invisible as it was obvious.  At the moment we gathered together, you said your vows to each other.  And as we grew quiet and stood there with you, we witnessed not only how right it is that you marry each other, but also how right your marriage is for all of us who know you.  To stand in unison with those who love you as I do--and who are so easily and generously loved back by you--is a gift I will never forget, or let go.   Your love married us all to you...and to each other.  I am so happy that I could be part of such love.

Thank you for joining us together. Your love and marriage is truly a gift to us all.

Love always,
A.






Photos by Richard and Anulak





Monday, September 5, 2011

Why I Love Springdell Farm


A Basket of Summer

Springdell Farm is a treasure.  I drive by the stand almost everyday and if I don't stop, I always give a little nod. It's a small roadside stand--no grocery carts, no sliding glass doors, no freezing cold air conditioning, no strawberries in October or zucchini in March, and positively no indifference to the land, their animals, their customers, or to the quality of their offerings. Chickens greet customers, and Farmer Joe, the old Corgi, is always snoozing nearby. And they learn their customers by name...

I've been a regular for many years and like many others, I know that the very essence of New England's summer can be tasted right here. This is a basket of heart and soul--a legacy of the sun, the soil, the rains, and many pairs of hands and hooves, and many generations...all culminating in the soft juicy peach, and the sweet crisp corn. What I love most is the way the family of Springdell Farm cares for what they do.  You can see that in they way they label their baskets of fruits and vegetables, and in the way nothing goes to waste.  You can hear it in the way they greet customers, and in the tones of their voices. And you can taste their dedication in each bite--simple, fleshy, fresh, and clean.

After a weekend of schlepping the last girl to her new Amherst apartment (no more drive to Ithaca!), I was pooped. Though it was fun, in less than 24 hours I had made two round trips, and assembled a bed, a computer desk, a computer chair, a bureau, a night table, and a book case. Coming home to a transitory-inspired house and too lacking in energy to re-settle it, I headed for Springdell to collect some things for my dinner.

In my bleary stupor, my eyes had fixed on pink gladiolus.  So stunning.  A rooster was wandering around the car.  Jamie was sorting vegetables for the day and shouted a cheerful hello.  The counters had been stocked with freshly harvested fruits, vegetables and flowers.  There was a basket of their own wool and some pretty photographs. Meats, eggs, butter and cheese were in coolers.  Joe was asleep against a back wall.  Everything was in its place.  It was like standing in the middle of home--not my house-home, but the home of our world--our seasons and our rhythms, our summer, our New England.

To my surprise and delight, Jamie offered me this beautiful basket of fruits and vegetables.  Someone had neglected to take the order and the yield represented too much goodness to go to waste.  I was only too happy to oblige.  Her kindness brought tears to my eyes as I drove home.  She works so hard.  They all do.  I believe they move us forward by bringing us all back to the simple earth and the heart of it all.  This is what I love so much about Springdell Farm.