Ahhhh, the 80’s…my brother practiced kung fu to become a “black sash.” All I know is that this was the face I made after he asked me to “spar” with him…staff in hand…again, my answer was NO! 😀
I was raised on the Monterey peninsula before everything went commercial. Before Clint became mayor and the Monterey Bay Aquarium was installed, wiping out so much stuff of fond memory, not to mention so many historical buildings.
We grew up in simple times without cell phones – in times where we could go places in our bare feet and be welcomed “as we are” just about anywhere. No fillers, tucks, lifts or projections needed – just our simple humanity, in some great variety of form, all coexisting without what is now commonly referred to as “Karens,” dictating how we all ought to be…or else?!
I recall growing up with neighbors who all came together pretty much regularly to support one cause or another – to help build a fence or repair something for a neighbor – without any requirement for remuneration; where neighbors dined together and didn’t avoid politics or religion for fear of being “cancelled” but, instead, knew full well that things might get heated but also that, at the end of an evening, everyone would hug and ask, “when are we getting together again?!” What’s more, they meant it. Generally speaking, we kids weren’t raised to hold grudges eternal. We understood the need to be accountable to GD, ourselves and one another – even the atheists, at that time, somehow recognized that as a core imperative and modeled that behavior to the lot of us.
Mostly, I remember truly knowing our neighbors – often taking food to a few elderly ladies living nearby and routinely visiting with locals in our community, whether just over a fence line or down at some small establishment on “main street.” There’s something profoundly important to such places – places where people find ways to gather without any need for “cleaning up” or bothering with all the pretense that is so popular in today’s socially engineered world. And, coming from what I know, deep in my bones – and from having grown up in such a beautiful and special place – all I can say is that this is why I am currently so blown away at the beauty we’re already finding in our new “home town” of Kingston Springs.
Being down at Turnbull Provisions each Monday now (8-12) with Amy and her lovely staff and a whole host of neighbors – watching how young and old gather in the same small town way that I was fortunate enough to observe and participate in, growing up on the peninsula – is something special in a way words cannot adequately express. This is what the world needs more of, not less. We have enough city – enough slicker – enough of what needs replacing or touching up at regular intervals. What lasts comes from the heart. What lasts and holds much deeper value is what exists as fleeting – in each of those moments where no polish or shine is required and time, itself, is the pleasure we enjoy in good company. Watching a child draw without need for any special “entertainment” – watching friends gather and enjoy some lovely coffee, a baked good, some bit of morning light coming through a window and easy conversation where silences are no crime…it’s such a gift to see.
So…on this Sunday afternoon, I find myself taking a break from baking so as to let these words spill out as they are meant to be shared. An “out loud” expression of my personal gratitude rooted in such fond memory – as well as our gratitude as a mother/daughter team and small business – not just for this lovely and blessed opportunity to participate in community but for everyone in community bringing such life and light to us down on Main Street, at Turnbull Provisions, each Monday (8-12).
THANK YOU ALL!
With blessings & Gratitude,
Aliza Wiseman (“Birdie”) & Sterling G. Wiseman
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