Though the food looks great! Not much different from last week. They are saying corn might be available next week - whee! And I am eagerly anticipating green beans. Would you believe I paid $2 for that lettuce?
So, the girl went with me to the market today. She remarked on and was curious about something that's fairly obvious at our market - the majority of the vegetable farmers are Hmong. So I asked her to wait until we got into the car where we discussed in a highly simplified manner:
* The Vietnam war and why the Hmong came to the US, particularly Minnesota.
* Why people have traditionally come to the US - freedom from oppression.
This led into:
* Freedom for women's rights and a book we read about "Elizabeth" who worked for women's right to vote and make laws.
* Another book she read about people coming to America on a boat and selling their jewelery so they could do so, and celebrating Thanksgiving when they arrived. (Not sure if this was all the same book.)
It was more than I bargained for, but was a really good chat. I think she 'got' it. And naturally I was impressed what she remembers from her reading. Good stuff.
9 comments:
Sounds like the farmers' market made for a wonderful discussion yesterday. Don't you just love it when an ordinary event can do that?
We were really late getting to the Farmer's Market yesterday and all the strawberries were gone:-(
Sounds like you and your daughter had a great discussion - you just never know what's going to prompt one. I love when it happens though!
Wonderful! Having time for lots of those kinds of discussions is one of the big reasons why we homeschool. :-)
Tara...you won 1st prize in my giveaway. Please email me name, address etc. asap. CONGRATS
The lettuce looks beautiful! Definitely worth every penny, as I bet the berries and bread were, too. Mmmmmmm. We missed the market this week, but had a great time a week ago. I posted a photo here.
Has your daughter read The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman? Very good nonfiction about the Hmong.
bermudaonion, absolutely. I can see us having a lot of these 'car' discussions.
JoAnn, nuts! The berries were looking really great today. Yep, I wasn't expecting that discussion at all, and that makes it all the more special.
Ali, I can see that being a huge plus.
Diane, wheeee! Thank you!
Les, I think so too - what a steal! The berries are a little pricey, but oh well. We haven't read that book - will have to check it out - thanks for the recommendation.
Sounds like you had a good discussion. My son will ask me the most complex questions while doing very menial tasks like washing the car of going to the market.
I always enjoy seeing what you get from the Farmer's Market. It's encouraging to see someone who eats seasonal whole foods. And I love those kinds of conversations with my kids.
Ti, isn't that just what kids do? One time that my daughter really opens up is at bedtime - I've learned to really keep my ears open then!
Petunia, thank you! I love being able to eat seasonally here in MN - at least in the Summer and Fall! And it makes me proud to be able to serve entire meals to my family from local foods.
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