FORCED OFF MY ELECTRONICS by yet another thunderstorm, the first draft of this story is being written by my not-so-neat hand. Originally, I meant to describe how I landed at the Pakatakan Farmers’ Market and chronicle my first year as a permanent resident here in Delaware County, and list all the many hats I’ve worn over the last 12 months to survive this transition.
Then I realized, I had only need go back one week.
One week is all that is needed to demonstrate how living in these great mountains forces upon us flexibility, but then rewards us with creativity and bounty.
For, in just the past 8 days, I have found myself involved in the following:
Sunday: Emailing the wholesale list for Traveler’s Tea to a new restaurant opening in the area, then switching gears and putting together a quote for building a new website for the sheep farmer (see below).
Saturday: Discussing the intricacies of tea blending with a well-traveled woman while peddling my organic tea line at the Round Barn.
Friday: Brainstorming with a friend at Spillian, a real life “castle” about the need for women in business need to support one another.
Thursday: Assisting my husband in loading a huge crate he just built into the back of our Chevy so we could transport sheep from a farm in the Adironacks to the southern part of the state. (And then herding said sheep into their new pen, meanwhile, keeping the other animals at bay).
Wednesday: Sitting at my desk, finessing the final edits on the debut album cover for local musician Ben Rounds.
Tuesday: Shooting photos of yet another captivating reservoir sunset and capturing the talent of local musicians with my lens at open mic at the Catamount
Monday: Designing my husbands business card, as he has recently passed all the tests, and will soon be a licensed NYS guide.
Sunday: Throwing my daughters birthday bash, hosting the most wonderful, eclectic mix of friends and neighbors this side of the Hudson.
Ok, I can hear you now, “Jane of all trades, master of none.”
Simply not true.
Yes, there are times that there are too many ‘irons in the fire’, but, let me tell you..there are times when there are NO irons in the fire. (i.e. this past winter). To survive, happily, in these mountains, one must be willing to let go of the 9-5 post-collegiate job we all were raised to believe would make our money, make our future, make our life.
That’s just not how it works here.
Instead, there is a NEW way, being pioneered by long-time residents and newly transplanted “out-landers” alike: A self-sufficient , flexible, creative way of life. One that sees us through the longest of winters into the reward of a beautiful July.
Come to the Pakatakan market at the Round Barn every Saturday, and you will see this way of life in full swing.
I’ll admit..there ARE days, when after blending 10 batches of tea, I just cannot, cannot, grind another vanilla bean or wiegh out another 1.5 ounces of organic tea. That is when I step outside into this beautiful outdoor studio, aka, The Catskill Park, camera in hand, and shoot whatever scene, train, or guitar player that comes my way.
Or, the days when it is pouring and frigid outside, I sit at my Mac and turn those photos into usable, promotional tools for my client. Perhaps I write a poem that just must be written, because the moment the shutter clicked, new words started forming.
Then, there are days when I go downstairs, survey my pickings form the latest CSA pick up at Straight Out of the Ground, and determine whether its time to dig out the canning pot and start whipping up my harvest relish, which comes in handy as Christmas presents. And this year...I will be showing my daughter the secret recipe.
Oh, yes, lets not forget...somedays I pause to help my husband/business partner in the completion of one of his latest free-lance carpentry projects that promises to build my muscles AND the bank account.
The moral of the story: if you have decided you love these mountains more then a steady paycheck, cherishing the people more then complete and utter security, welcoming the challenge of running several businesses or working several jobs to make ends meet, this is where you belong. Show your appreciation by supporting the local farmers, craftsman, producers and businesses in this region.
So...back to WHY I am sharing this story in the first place. I was asked how it was that my family and I came to live here, peddling my tea and my photography in the Catskill Mountains, moonlighting as a sheep-hauler, and all while being a party-throwing, relish-making mom. I will answer, of course, with poetry:
‘This unexplored road
beckons us to return,
And we will.
Until every curve,
peak and ridge
has been discovered.
We long to taste and see
every waterfall,
valley, and stream.
Beauty and flaws combine
and captivate.
We cannot resist the call.
This new direction leads us to peace.
The clouds beseech us,
and it’s in rapture
we respond.
Following this road,
strange, yet familiar,
leads us to the place
where we now belong.
©Copyright 2014 Becca
In closing, if you decide on a self-sustaining life of adventure, tempered with quiet contentment, come to the Catskills (visit the Round Barn!) and bring ALOT of hats.
-Rebecca is a writer and the owner of two businesses: Traveler’s Tea (a line of organic, unique custom blended teas) and Mountain Girl Photography and Design. To contact her, or Mark, her handy-man husband/guide, please go to www.OrganicTravlersTea.com, or www.MountainGirlPhotographyandDesign.wordpress.com or call 1-844-TRUE-TEA. Also, visit them every Saturday at the Pakatakan Farmers’ Market on Rt. 30 in Halcottsville, NY from 9-2.
Photos Below:
1. "Hibiscus Retreat" iced and ready to sample 2. Tea display 3.Train photography by MGP&D 4. Madalyn-Straight out of the Ground
