It's time to quote John Steinbeck who practically quoted Scottish poet Robert Burns:


The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Perhaps that saying is not entirely true in this moment, but it seems to fit what I felt immediately after reading an email last night.

Back up a little bit, to when I emailed our hosts in Silver City from our May trip, and asked for their time and energy (and amazing number of connections) to point us to people in the Silver City area who could help us determine the viability of our business idea.  We had some good, enlightening conversations with the manager of the grocery co-op, and felt like we were on our way to uncovering ways we could provide a unique experience for the community.

But then we got an email from another individual last evening, informing us that there is to be a commercial kitchen and low-cost, no-cost cafe using locally grown food...scheduled to be completed jan. 2012. 

Those are direct quotes there, friends.

Well, superb!  The community is responding to its food security needs!  We are happy and excited for them as they start this venture, as they will likely be able to engage immediately and effectively with their community.

So, we are not offended or angry -- if anything, just sad, because we really enjoyed our time in Silver City.  However, I have said recently to a friend that the geographical place is secondary to the work we wish to do.  (I do not, of course, want to be situated in either of the poles.  Somewhere a bit warmer would be preferable.)  If there is a need for someone to address food security in a place, we are open to being there.

Meanwhile, the researching and business planning can go ahead, even if the location is in flux.

That is today's update.  We are still searching.