Beginning last summer, John and I felt a need to be really present at home and in our neighborhood. We planted a garden and hung out more with neighbors. We listened to the church bells ring through our little village and tucked into the moment. Now in the deep winter the pull of the local dovetails nicely with my cyclical, borderline agoraphobic, hermit-like desire to stay inside my house until spring. I was pleasantly surprised to read this article and discover that I am accidentally hip, timely and eco-conscious, it seems.