Jonesin

I've identified the Oak Park Joneses. They are a family that live a few blocks from us and I admit I am trying to keep up. It's a fruitless chase. They make their own granola (how Oak Park), they do not use paper-towels (wasteful), they find new uses for broken crayons, metal hangers and broken pieces of glass. If city ordinances would allow, I'm sure they would have a flock of sheep that they would tend, using the wool to knit sweaters for residents of the local homeless shelter. They crave intellectualism and likely have a book shelf of thought provoking reads meant to inspire reflection and change. Who is Danielle Steel? They revel in their own cleverness and rightfully so. I watch it all unfold daily on their beautifully written family blog. I tune in with a sadistic hunger...yearning to be so whatever it is they are. We bumped into the "Jones" family at the farmer's market last week. Her children with their tree-hugger-chic tousled hair and broad smiles. Motivated, I grab a bunch of organic rhubarb. Plans start to unfold as I envision a summer full of inventive recipes using only the most in-season produce. Two can play at this game. In all honesty, as much as I love to hate the Joneses, they really are a mindful family and I enjoy the challenge they unknowingly provide. Next week, garden pea soup with morel cream and garden tools made out of old milk cartons...yeah right.