I'm weird. I know that. I'm especially weird for a pastor type. Yesterday I got to experience the sacred in some pretty unusual places. First of all at some businesses on 3rd Street. Author, Tami Parr, was in town to talk about her book. We had her into the wine shop along with a couple of Oregon cheese makers. It was a holy even to me. Here are people who care deeply about making something of elegance a beauty. The two cheese makers are creating heaven on earth. Both make goat cheeses. My favorites were the fresh chevre with pesto from Fern's Edge Goat Dairy, and Sunset Bay, an ash encrusted cheese with a ribbon of paprika going through the middle which is made by Rivers Edge Chvre. We were blessed to have both dedicated cheese makers in our shop to share their wonderful creations. Especially the Sunset Bay cheese looks like art to me. This movement of making beautiful, artisan cheeses is such an act of love, created in very small amounts, and in very labor intensive ways. What a gift to be able to share with people who appreciate their hard work and artistry. That's where Tami Parr's gifts come in. She has taken the time to notice these hard working people and written a book to bring them to our attention. Her book, "Artisan Cheese of the Pacific Northwest" is part information catalogue about the people who are making these cheeses, and part travel guide if you would ever wish to take your own Pacific Northwest cheese tour (and by golly, don't you think it's about time that you did?) She shared her story of being a lawyer and not liking her job. Not thinking she was starting a new career, she started a blog about cheese about five years ago, which has resulted in a new passion and a new career.She said that one of the reasons small, artisan cheese makers have flourished is farmer's markets. They allow small producers to bring their product to market and sell it without the hassles of trying to work with a super market chain. They also provide a ready audience of people who appreciate well crafted, organic products. We had a great crowd turn out for the book signing and the pre-party at Wednesday Wines. And twenty five folks showed up at Third Street Books. They were treated to an entertaining and informative talk from Tami, as well as a gorgeous plate of artisan cheeses provided by our own Abbie and Olivers. And, then, as if it weren't close enough to heaven already we were treated to some wines by Remy Wines of McMinnville. This is what heaven will look like to me, free cheese, an expert to guide you in your enjoyment of the cheese, and free wine.
Now, I'm off to the profane. Our denomination's annual torture session where we conduct the business of the "church". I would like to suggest to our bishop that we dispense all of this church business and bring in Tami to talk about cheese, and then share some beautiful cheeses and wines together. It would lift the spirits of the people of the church and prepare them to go back an work hard in their local churches. And, in my own little warped cranium, it would be one heck of a lot more holy.