One good thing about California
It’s not a secret of mine that I don’t like California much. It has the framework to be an absolute oasis, but somehow still manages to suck. I have many theories why, but will share just a couple more whimsical ones now.
They don’t have seasons, which I think could contribute to the citizenry being generally weaker and sketchier. It also means “super bugs” that don’t die over winter live in pavement — it’s practice for couriers when they get road rash to order two shots at the nearest bar immediately, one for them and one to sanitize the wound immediately. However, one bug they don’t have is the one that contains lightning, so basically every Californian who grew up there missed out on a childhood.
In 2011, I accepted a farming “internship” in Santa Rosa that ended up being not much more than slavery, and its provided living quarters turned out to be a veritable death box — the aesthetically awesome vintage Airstream trailer was lined with black mold that had me waking up with nosebleeds after a couple days. I toughed it out by sleeping in the barn and my tent for a month, hoping to learn about farming from the sociopathic married former San Franciscan models. They seemed more interested in acting out some sort of strange reality show-like drama and I wasn’t feeling my role.
It wasn’t a complete loss, though. I was inspired by many aspects of Sonoma County and this small suburban farm, most grateful to have enjoyed my first up close and personal experience with livestock. The Jerseys I milked while there were exceptional, and exceptionally cared for. This was where I fell in love with the quirkiness of chickens. Also where I learned what may be the best part of California:
While the lack of hard seasons seemed to make for softer people, it also meant food could be stored much more simply with less perishability. The open air kitchen on the farm I was at kept most food on shelves year round and did not have a refrigerator. This was mind-blowing to me. Additionally, more buildings were open, air conditioners weren’t attached to every building, and it seemed like a lot less was needed to be considered when building homes.
This is what crossed my mind today as I left my leftovers from lunch, sauerkraut and Comté cheese, in the storage container at the farm. Thanks to the lovely Autumn temperatures they’ll keep perfectly right there until I finish them tomorrow or the next.
