Bodega Report - December 2011

The rain is making me want to put up my Christmas lights, but I am going to restrain myself, as I wish all would, until after Thanksgiving.  I think it’s good to be thankful before buying and requesting stuff.  However, I have to admit a vested interest in holiday shopping, so I will here thank Vesta for the Small Shops of Sonoma County edition and hope that everyone will find their holiday desires in a small local shop. I certainly enjoy Christmas shopping a lot more since I realized I could do it all right here in Bodega.

Shamelss Self-Promotion

I’m finally going to unabashedly invite you to visit my little Organic Cotton Fabric Shop. I provide 100% certified organic cotton sheets, towels, baby blankets, and local wool-filled pillows - all made in Bodega.  We also sell yard goods including flannel, terrycloth, chambray and sateen. Organic cotton is good for you, good for the farmers, and good for earth. Nurture yourself as you sleep, by surrounding yourself with soft, pure, comforting cotton. Do something good that literally feels good.

Seemingly unrelated, I also carry fine Peruvian textiles and hats from the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, a collective of nine weaving villages. We had our grand opening in November, prompted by visit from Nilda Callanaupa, Director of the Center.  Nilda has done amazing work to bring back and fortify the fine art of weaving in the Andean highlands and the collective is now producing the finest textiles in Peru. Nilda donned her magnificent traditional dress and

I chuckled as she unselfconsciously strode up to Bodega Highway to photograph St. Theresa’s church, remembering how locals in the Andes gawked at us unselfconsciously clicking pictures in our out-of-place American clothes, and imagining that Bodega locals were likewise gawking at her.

FREE Books to Share!

A holiday suggestion that will please your budget is a free book from the Sonoma County Free Bookmobile.  This is a wonderful service that brings a great selection of books to Valley Ford every month. The next visit will be December 17 from 9 - 10:30.  See  http://sonomacountybookmobile.org to double check the schedule. The Bodega Bay Grange Flea Market on December 17 is yet another place to find great bargain-priced gifts.

Join our Christmas Story!   

December 17 is also the date for the Bodega Christmas Posada.  Come out and carol while merrily parading around Bodega and acting out the Christmas story. Jesus, Mary and Joseph have been secured, but various other characters and musicians are still needed.  The Volunteer Fire Department has generously offered the use of the hall in case of rain, so we will have a dry place for hot chocolate and cookies.  We’ll put out a donation jar for the Fire Hall construction project in return.  Bricks for the hall also make a great Christmas present.  The Posada will start at 5:00 p.m. outside the Fire House.  All are invited to bring cookies to share.

Sharing Missions and Time

If you are hoping to avoid an excess of liquid holiday cheer, and desire to quit drinking, you can find compatriots and help at the Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting at the Ranch. The meeting is held every Thursday night from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the little red schoolhouse on Bodega Pastures at 600 Salmon Creek Road, 1.2 miles from Highway 12.

The Bodega Red Potato Club had its fall giveback meeting in November.  Most of those who got gave back, though there are a few potatoes still at large. Please bring your committed potatoes to my shop.  If you have enough to plant next year and to give back to the Club, you may try a couple.  Dish them out to only those most deserving.  They are indeed, amazingly delicious, and quite worth the effort to conserve. Virus-free tubers will arrive in time for distribution at the spring meeting.  We may have a Facebook page by then, so keep your eyes out.

On a more somber note, the December Documentary at the Bodega Bay Grange will be held on December 3 at 7:00 pm.  This month’s film is Seared Souls:  South Carolina Voices of the Holocaust – wherein holocaust survivors in South Carolina tell their stories.  The film won seven awards and is sure to be powerful.

May we find peace on earth, and good will to all.