Sometimes one can simply stare out a window at nothing, ruminating silently over variables until they come together into a plan. But sometimes, no matter how long one sits and thinks, the ideas just don’t come.
Thank goodness for “instantaneous inspiration,” when an idea or solution just hops into your head, apparently unbidden, after you have moved on to some other thought; maybe the subconscious keeps plugging away after our active mind poops out. Some people have these experiences when asleep, sitting up loggy-headed in the darkness to make cryptic notes so the thought won’t disappear into the mists of dreamland before morning. For others, it happens while mounting the battle of a commuter. The experience is common enough to make a small recorder like a dictaphone a worthwhile investment; it’s hard enough to remain sane on the drive between weaving, inattentive cell-phone patrons without losing a valuable train of thought as well.
There are some people, however, who apparently have minds that just keep bubbling away like a coffee percolator on high heat. Christine O’Meara and her son, John, of O’Meara Family Farm are a dynamic duo in the idea department. Thanks to Christine, struggles with how to advertise the Presque Isle Farmers Market turned into a web page and Facebook contacts that she maintains.
Comments from one patron at the Market turned into a One Day a Week Challenge to encourage others to eat locally. A celebration of Ag Day in July turned into a week-long birthday celebration for Cricket, the farm’s oldest milk cow, complete with streamers and balloons. Our venture to Riverside Park for the “Sunday in the Park” music festival this summer resulted in the invention of drinkable yogurt, a delicious blend of yogurt and organic juices in single-serving containers; these freed people to dance even as they enjoyed this nutritious treat. The seasonality of a grass-fed organic dairy farm led to the development of a number of fabulous soft-cheese recipes that can be frozen for sale long after the pasture has disappeared under the snow. Perking all the time.
Meanwhile, her son John is as practical and pragmatic as any child on the face of the planet. When he considers the cascade of constellations pouring from his mother’s enthusiasm, the stars do not tempt him to allow his boots to leave the earth. While Christine forges ahead with innovative ideas, John’s mind delves into the mechanics of how things should be done and what is the most sensible way to proceed. With seriousness and earnestness, he offers suggestions meant to make the ideas work and work well. Meanwhile, he works steadily at their vender’s table, serving customers well and carefully making change.
The two are the ying and yang of thoughtful design, each the stronger because of the other. While Christine may joke about selling her children — cheaper when purchased in pairs — it is clear that John will not be up for sale any time soon.
Editor’s note: This weekly column is written by members of the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market. For more information or to join, contact their secretary/treasurer Steve Miller of Westmanland at 896-5860 or via e-mail at beetree@xpressamerica.net. The group’s website is https://sites.google.com/site/presqueislefarmersmarket/
