Page 43 - Sonoma County Gazette May 2020

crisis response program. We all need love, especially now. So I asked some important women how they’re faring in this.
New technology has its advantages. Brabyn feels we may have been “dragged into it kicking and screaming,” but it’s needed. She appreciates how
Lesley Brabyn goes into town once a week for home and farm essentials. “It’s weird out there...you feel like a leper...it’s really hard.” Nobody knows how to interact, and people avoid eye contact. There are definite mental health worries. She feels bad for those who are all cooped up.
What to do during quarantine??
Happily cocooning with my three-month-old girl, I’m also taking advantage of online platforms for music, song, prayer, comedic news and socializing. I go to choir, sing-alongs and bible study on zoom and “church-hopped” for Easter on facebook live. I watch YouTube “at home” TV shows, often produced by their family members. I enjoy video chatting with friends and family. I love going to virtual concerts with my baby and being able to contribute tips online. I’ve become a patron for musicians on patreon.com, supported local restaurants, been more generous overall and created a fundraiser through facebook for West County Community Services, as they have a great
Patty Karlin is going through
corners of her house and digging out
cabinets at the Bodega Goat Ranch.
By downsizing, she’s “done a total life
review.” In ordinary life, she says there
was never time to do so. At the same
time, she’s taking it easy by sleeping
more and not being hard on herself.
She has been in touch with old friends
more than before. She uses ZOOM for
yoga twice a week and to talk with
her grandsons, whom she used to
see regularly. She is also enjoying Tai Chi DVDs by Jane Golden. I checked goldenjane.com and she has eight Tai Chi and Qigong DVDs available also on USB flash drives.
She and her husband John have 400 acres of land on Salmon Creek Ranch to enjoy. She invites customers to hike and enjoy the property when they come to the “mercantile” farmstand. I took her up on the offer and couldn’t be happier with my experience, social-distance hiking and stocking up on amazing meats. I’m so grateful they share these treasures. Happy animals abound
in lush green pastures, a quaint shop with great products and fun trails to explore - you can even see down to Bodega...and beyond!
Agro-tourism has halted, along with all “non-essential” businesses. It’s important for us to support our neighbors during these times and keep small businesses afloat. It’s really a no-lose situation. We win by minimizing public exposure, our friends win by being supported, our family wins by staying healthy, the community wins by maintaining its identity, the county wins by keeping money local, the land wins by surviving and thriving, the animals win on so many levels by claiming their worth, the environment wins by bearing a lesser burden with decreasing carbon footprints...need I say more?
far we’ve progressed since the introduction of computers, when it was a much more challenging experience in school. It’s a whole different ball park these days. Lesley sees John more since he commutes via the internet now instead of traveling to and from San Francisco. He also still does the farmer’s market on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, which is apparently busier than usual. He reflects it’s because “people want to know the farmers
and where
their food is
coming from.”
Evelyn Casini has been staying safe at home, away from The Casino. She misses people, “the workers, neighbors, the people who come in...everyone.” She doesn’t use technology, so she’s doing a lot of gardening, bookwork and reading.
The Brabyn’s are doing mostly
direct to consumer sales
at this time. They offer
grass-fed and finished
beef from beautiful
Scottish Highland and
Angus cows, organic duck
eggs, goat meat and other
treats. They even have
scrumptious snacks for
furry family members that
any carnivorous friend
would enjoy. OPEN FOR
BUSINESS at 1400 Bay Hill
Rd. Contact info@salmoncreek.com or 707-876-1808 to tell them you’re coming. Be sure to close the gates behind you as you drive up to keep the cattle in.
Ariel Coddington is enjoying her new baby and socially-distanced walks down Salmon Creek Road with friends. She is rarely out in public, loving
time at home with little Dov - who’s quickly growing. The Bodega Country Store will open the Deli after the necessary inspection, once non-essential jobs resume, we may see it in May.
Hazel Flett says not much has changed at the Bodega Pastures, except for the lack of the traditional Easter party on the hill. She’s grateful for her natural lifestyle. More residents are home to help on the land, but Easter passed by as just another day on the farm.
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