Waves in Arkansas

Bet you did not know we have waves in Arkansas.

Samuel had been land locked for 12 months and 26 days when we received heavy rains during the night on July 2nd. He woke up talking about river surfing and how he knew where there was going to be a wave today and could he go surf it. What?!? Wait, WHAT?!?

"I don't know, I'm trying to fix breakfast. We have church, go get ready for church."

What the heck is he talking about? We go to church. Our church can be a little long...in a good way, except not so much when the rain has stopped and you are worried about your wave disappearing. We talk and eat and pray and catch up and read scripture and talk about scripture. He patiently waits. We close in prayer.

"Mom, I have my board in Hannah's truck, can she take me to the river, I want to surf that wave before it is gone."

"Ummm, ok?"

After we say our goodbyes and get in the car, I pause and look at Sam. Wait, WHAT?!? "Ummm, I told Samuel he could go surf a river wave, maybe we should go check it out."

We locate Samuel, with his little brother in tow. He was right, there was a wave. How did he know there would be a wave there? {little brother was not going to surf or get in the water, but I can see how him standing by a fast following drainage area in the middle of town could cause some concern} Two concerned citizen were urging Samuel not to get in the current, as he was insisting it was perfect for boarding. A police officer was also pulling up.

After some discussion, the police officer noted that he thought it was dangerous, but he did not know of any laws that were being broken. {I want to put another caveat in here: my boys have spent a good amount of time in rough waters and surfed Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido, Mexico...think big waves, so I'm not recommending this for anyone without experience} 

We go to Lowe's for a rope to help Samuel get to the wave. This proved unnecessary. I choose to be in denial that I have to live with the consequences of raising adenine junkies and walk over the Barnes & Nobles to peruse books on tiny houses and gardens. {More on the tiny homes later}.

Okay, so it is not as good a getting up at the break of dawn, dipping into the Pacific and feeling the rush of breaking ocean waves, but it is pretty nifty. Now my boys are constantly watching the weather for heavy rain. Especially since Josiah had other obligations and missed this wave.

Farmer's Market Review

For those of you who don't take advantage of the farmer's market you should. Here in Northwest Arkansas we have at least four markets from which to choose. I usually go to the Fayetteville market. It is the largest and most established. However, Sam and I had a morning to ourselves this Saturday, so we checked out the Bentonville market.

It is smaller, but it had a really neat flair. There were some farmers from MO, a local lady who makes and customizes baby items, a leather maker, a homemade bread stand, grass fed beef from MO and lots of locally grown produce stands. I didn't ask, but the produce seemed to be from small scale, perhaps even backyard gardens. There was the typical seasonal produce for this area; beets, turnips, radish, salads, onions and other spring produce. Each stand seemed to take great care in displaying neat clean produce. Mayor Bob McClasin was there putting in some community service by cleaning up the streets and I saw Debra Billingsley a local shop owner enjoying the market. It seemed very community based.

The square is around a fountain instead of a building, which makes the whole market open and appealing. We enjoyed coffee and a cinnamon role from World Garden's booth and chatted with friends we hadn't seen in a long time. It was neat to learn about World Garden and all their homemade goodies and on site roasted coffee. They have a very responsibly, sustainable, give back philosophy.

The market was very enjoyable. I am excited to see what it offers as the season goes along. I love eating so close to my food source. It is not as good as having my own garden, but it will work for this year.

I am sorry I don't have any pictures to share. I have not been good about keeping my camera with me lately, but I will get a picture this Sat hopefully.