For a Friend: At a Loss for Words

For the friend who wrote me this morning: "Aw Tana, you sound beleaguered. Don't give up! I know I don't comment much anymore, but I still love reading you. Just give us photos when you're tired."

Thanks, B. These are for you.

From last week's downtown farmers market: Route One yellow bells. Summer's last gasp? It's raining and grey outside today.

2. From Linda and Steven Butler's beautiful farm, this Spicy Greek basil: a perfect bouquet of aroma.

3. Thomas Family Farm's colorful dahlias.

4. And speaking of the Thomas family, here is their newest addition—little Montgomery, affectionately referred to as "the Mont-ster." (I think "Blue-Eyed Mont-ster" works, huh?) He has the sweetest vibe, honestly. Calm, sweet, even kind. And so darling.

5. And one more from the So Darling files, this starry-eyed cherub.

Yes, two photos of babies. Our family motto: "Give me the damn baby." Babies = Vitamin B. It's impossible for me to be blue with a baby in front of me.

These beautiful pumpkins are from Mike and Teresa at Everett Family Farm.

So that's six thousand-plus words from me today. I think I'll go cuddle with Logan in front of a Zoboomafoo and let the Kratt Brothers cheer me up.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance." —Ray Bradbury

Thanks for visiting. (Especially to you, Ms. B.)

P.S. Watch this space: at the request of countless people, I am going to be writing a detailed piece on all the reasons I no longer recommend that ANYONE attend an Outstanding in the Field farm dinner and tour—specifically about Jim Denevan's involvement. I am remorseful about my years-long devotion and loyalty, but after the things I've heard this year (and last year, which was my final straw) that it's just time I put some of them down for the record. Chefs, winemakers, farmers, participants, and other involved parties (including former staff) will all be making guest appearances in the piece I'm writing.

Comments

[You Know Who]

I'm glad you're finally going to write this. Your (previous) endorsement was the key reason I felt OK about spending such an exorbitant sum. Given our utter disappointment with the OitF event we attended earlier this year, I'm glad that you're finally going on the record with a retraction.

[Robin]

You come to mind often. While working in the greenhouse last week I glanced at a bed of beets and saw a "great Tana picture waiting to be taken." You're in our thoughts even when you're not active here. Take care.

[anonymous]

hmmmm. it will be an interesting article. Denevan has burned many bridges, including ones with our restaurant/farm. and our friends too. sounds like you're aiming to burn some bridges of your own! I await the article.

anon.

[Tana]

Normally I don't publish anonymous comments, but I am publishing the two above, even though I know the identity of the first, and can guess the identity of the second, based on the IP address. And because I think I know the farm involved, I'm admitting it. (Especially because the farmers are the ones most often burned, and hardest hit financially.)

A farmer friend called me a few weeks ago to tell me OitF had approached them to do a farm dinner there. I said NO WAY, NO HOW, UNDER NO CIRCUSTANCES get involved with Jim Denevan.

These "burned bridges" could always be repaired if the person on the other side were to take responsibility and make amends to the people who've been burned and used. For me, life's too short to spend it feeling abjectly sorry I did business with someone—gave my heart and soul for years supporting—when the overwhelming feedback is "How can you work for him?"

I didn't do it for the glory: I did it for the farmers, because I believed in the vision. I still believe in the vision, but not the ways and means it's bringing glory to the WRONG PERSON.

More anon, Anon.

: D

[B.]

Sorry it took me so long to slog through all my RSS feeds and find these gorgeous, soul-lightening photos you had waiting for me, but I made it. You've taken away all the rotten taste of the Farm Bill.

Baby photos are a bonus. Hurray for Vitamin B! Thank you.

And now I'm all intrigued about the OIF opus.