These are interesting times. There is great sadness among our community as many long standing employees are let go as we shrink our business to manage the financial hit we took with all the legal issues. There are also some wonderful new opportunities opening up and being created for some of those employees who are moving on. The upcoming closure of our Oakland location, inside of Whole Foods is a big disappointment for all those people struggling financially during these times who have been getting an I  Am Grateful Bowl daily for a very small donation.  The employees staying on with us in Berkeley, Santa Cruz and Gracias Madre are relieved. You can see that there is a great mix of feelings and emotions amongst us all.

We are working together to continue to support one another during these times and deeply appreciate you coming by for a meal and some of the LOVE Cafe Gratitude is known for.

Yesterday I was cooped up in an office building all day, eyes glued to a computer screen. I told myself I would take breaks, and I did, but I didn’t take enough of them, and not the kind I needed. Getting some fresh air would have cleared my head, but when I get into the daze of a busy workday sometimes I forget to nurture myself. As it was, I emerged onto the Berkeley street at 5:00pm to a surprise - rain.  It had been summer-sunny all week and so the wet was startling, and--and this is interesting--almost immediately disappointing.
As I surveyed the soaked city street, negative thoughts streaked rapid-fire through my head: I don’t have rain gear!--I’m going to get soaked.--This is a terrible state of affairs.--Why didn’t I check the weather forecast?--It was stupid not to.--How will I make myself check the weather next time?--How will I get home right now?--Now I’m depressed.--Rain is depressing.--I shouldn’t have left sunny Santa Barbara.--I can’t live in Berkeley.
Holy smokes! A few drops of water had me questioning my longtime goal to live in the Bay! Notice how none of those thoughts--which all reverberated through my noggin in about a second and a half--were positive or uplifting. My ego, that chattering devil of the mind, had nothing good to say about the rain. But as I mounted my bike and began to brave the elements, I made a choice to flip a switch in my head. I was going to try an experiment--being grateful for the rain.
And I began to feel better, as these statements showed up in my consciousness: Rain nourishes the Earth.--This storm renews life.--I’m not too wet, and I’ll be inside, and dry, very soon.--This unexpected weather is exciting, different, fascinating.--The air smells so, so incredibly good.
I invite you to practice positive thinking in the face of the critical onslaught our minds are so good at creating. Next time you find yourself in a situation you can’t immediately change in a physical sense--maybe you’re wet, or cold, or crammed into a car for a long drive--acknowledge your outside circumstances, but then direct your attention to what you have to be grateful for, instead of only what’s going wrong. I could have focused on the discomfort of the droplets soaking through my clothes, but instead I put my attention on the invigorating aromas of a world thirsty for water.
You always have the power to notice and change your thoughts!

The earth is softer today due to rainfall. I noticed while walking about the farm early this morning as I opened up the chicken coops that my boots (yes rain boots) were treading softer on the ground. The smell of moist leaves, soil and wood chips is everywhere. The flies are vying for their last days. Today there is a group of volunteers coming out to help bring in the butternut squash from the fields, and the corn too.

Our campfire is going, the smell of smoke permeates those of us who live here, so much so that when we hug people they ask, "Have you been camping?" I call it "Campfire" cologne! I haven't yet put on any "window coverings" on the yurt screens but we can certainly feel the cool night air blow across our faces when we are tucked into bed at night!

Anna is still visiting from Kansas City and her assistance with Spanish (she speaks perfectly) is so wonderful and deepens our already deep connection to our family from across the border. She is a great "farm mama" assisting wherever she is needed. Newe our now 2 year old farm member loves her and she and he are a great duo to support his mama, Lindsay, who grows all our sprouts and wheatgrass.  

It is an interesting time of year.  We call it Spring and yet it is unusual to have rain this late into the year, and it is unprecedented for the Vacaville area to be this cold! So while the lettuce and kale love it, the peppers, melons and cucumbers are calling for warmer days along with the ripening cherry crop!

We still need campfires in the early morning and evenings, and yesterday and today kept it going all day long. Easter Baby chicks are now healthy young birds loving the out of doors. They have already been introduced to sprouts! A real treat for all our farm chickens. They LOVE the wheatgrass and sprout trays, and follow me wherever I go when they hear my little tractor and wagon coming their way. (They know sprouts are inside the wagon!)

Mulberries are on the trees but also need more sunshine to ripen. Our neighbors who have farmed here for over 40 years say they have never seen the weather as it is this year. So as farmer, we adjust, we trust and we let go. 

Hi Everyone,

We are coming up for air after so much rain.  Our stove pipe was blown over in the last storm and mud was abundant, for sure!  However, we also love all the rain and the green grass that is covering the farm. The chickens, while wet, are still loving being out and about! The almond and apricot blossoms are over, and the first of the nectarine and early peach blossoms are still on the trees though not as full as they first were. The apple and Italian plum blossoms are full and sweet smelling.  I love this time of year.  The promise of those blossoms have me remembering all of the fruit that follows and the bees are more evident. 

Today, as about this same time last year, a group of students from UC Berkeley are here visiting the farm, cleaning out pens and helping make the family meal. They love it here, and are so grateful for the experience that is adding something precious to their educational experience. The farm crew loves all the visitors that start showing up once rainy season is past and the sun is out.