Where the buffalo roam

Now, you'll hear from the earth muffin types (I am more of an 'earth scone' type) that you should eat free range meats that were grass fed, happy, not hyped up on antibiotics, and psychologically stable. You should eat food that comes from around your area and it's best to get out and meet the actual people growing your food. There is nothing like that human connection to strengthen the bonds of the food chain.

I have tried to get into a local farm produce buying collective a couple times and once I gave them my info in the fall and never heard back from them and the other time I contacted a different farm in the spring only to find that all their shares had been sold for the year.

I try to shop at our local farmer's market but unless you only need basic veggies, eggs, free range chicken, and maple syrup, you are pretty much out of luck. I think our farmer's market has about eight or so vendors on a weekend and while they are great people with great products, there aren't enough vendors and there aren't enough choices.

So, I did a little investigating and decided to take matters into my own hands on Saturday. I had a taste of buffalo meat awhile back and I wanted to find a supplier locally. After a little research and a couple recommendations, I found a local farm and stopped by for some tasty, tasty meats.

Really, all I wanted was to stop in and get a price list and get some meat. I wasn't expecting to be invited in and plied with coffee. I also wasn't expecting to see a refrigerator that was absolutely covered with pictures of George Bush and Dick Cheney. I sat like a very nervous fly on the wall as I listened to military talk and thought that it was perhaps not the time nor the place to inquire about such topics as gay marriage and the seperation of church and state.

JUST GIVE ME THE MEAT!!!!!

Now, I really do try to shop at places that I can support their idiologies. I know that makes a lot of people roll their eyes. It is perhaps a naive notion that drove me to stop in at a small town outfitters on the day after thanksgiving to buy my winter boots as opposed to a big box retailer, I mean, the boots were still from China (and no doubt infused with lead paint). Still, I believe that unfortunately, the power in a capitalistic society lies in money, not good thoughts. I don't have a lot of money, but at least I can make a conscious decision as to where I will spend it.

So, as I sat in the kitchen, staring at the refrigerator, just wanting to take my meat and go, I met the farmer's wife who, I was told later, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's four years ago. She smiled and patted my head and repeatedly complemented my homemade purse and I watched the interaction between her and her husband. She was definately in good hands.

So, I eventually bought the meat and made my way out to my car. I watched the buffalo in the field for a moment and took a deep breath.

Refrigerator art or not, I'll be back again.