Log:
My final Saturday in Arcata logically started at the Farmers market. As usual, we weren’t in search of anything in particular. I was excited to find eggs and peaches. Then all of the sudden this crazy desire to bake came over me, so I got some zucchini for bread making this week. Noelle and I were about ready to leave when she asked me if it would be okay if we sat for a minute. Over dripping juicy peaches we sat and watched the show that is Arcata Farmer’s Market. A few people dancing… People from every generation are out today from unborn babies swelling in tummies to toddlers waddling around after one another and chasing older kids, from the college crowd to the middle aged, and even the little old white haired lady who dances every weekend. What an amazing gathering this market is! How beautiful all of these people are, from the dancers to the silent observers, there’s so much energy in this place. After a long silent observation in appreciation of the crowd Noelle and I headed back to CCAT. We stopped along the way to pick some rhubarb at CCAT’s plot in the community garden, this was important as it could potentially be a bartering tool at any garage sale we pass. Luckily enough, we found a place that would take 2 dollars and some rhubarb for a pretty blue sundress.
Rosie and I deemed it necessary to pick the final harvest from our favorite plum tree. As usual, we borrowed the CCAT ladder to get the most yummy plums in this town. Mmm, mmmm!
After fruit pickin’ with Rosie I accompanied Glenn to buy bio-diesel. Andy Cooper, a former CCAT student, started Footprint Recycling which collects waste vegetable oil and manufactures bio-diesel and soap. Andy was kind enough to give us the grand tour.
Saturday night the CCAT folks took me out to dinner at Tomo’s. I must say we sure did clean up nice for the occasion. We enjoyed sampling each other’s sushi. Dinner was capped off by making hats out of the nice cloth napkins. (Simply make a “paper cup” and viola, you’re ready for anything). To my surprise, a woman at the table next to us asked us to show her how to make the hats so she could teach her nieces. I learned that it’s not wise to try and pay for a dinner when folks are trying to treat you, such behavior can and will result in wallet confiscation!

Questions:
-Would the Ecological Design class at Berea be interested in communicating with Andy Cooper?
-How beautiful would the world be to me if I was able to retain this state of openness?
-What other great origami hats could be made from restaurant style napkins?

Feelings:
I feel like I might be approaching sleepless time soon, as I spend my last week in Arcata. There are so many things I’d like to do, so many people I’d like to spend more time getting to know, so many interesting foods I’d like to try to make with all of this fresh fruit, the list goes on and on.

• Learn about Footprint Recycling