June Taylor with Jen Maiser
I reluctantly crawled out from under my electric blanket this morning and headed out into the cold winter sunshine to listen to Jen Maiser interview June Taylor at the Ferry Building.
I'm so glad I did; it was a lovely interview, full of valuable insights. June cares deeply about the traditions and heritage of fruit preservation, and approaches her craft with great reverence.
She said many things that I'm still thinking on, but this particularly touched me: "I used to think it was about control," she said. "Now I think it's more about playing, and dancing, and seeing what happens."
Yes!
(I don't do this very well yet. I know it's the way to living more joyfully, but it's difficult! And I'm honestly not quite sure how to play. Or dance, for that matter. But I'll get there.)
I think I can relate - and not only because I was lucky enough to be sitting next to you during that fascinating talk - but because I think I have a fear of not being in control. Perhaps I too need a little more pure fun and dancing in my life. Let's do something silly in 2008? High Five?
Posted by: sam | December 08, 2007 at 05:44 PM
She was great, wasn't she? I had to restrain myself from saying, "hold that thought - I need to write this down." And there were also times when I just wanted to hug her for her insights. She should write a book about life through the eyes of a jam wifey. Fascinating. I'm glad you came!
Posted by: jen maiser | December 08, 2007 at 07:09 PM
Sam - yes, absolutely! Silliness like just what the doctor ordered!
Jen - I know - she said so many valuable things. I'm so glad I was there. Does anyone do an audio recording of those interviews? That's a podcast waiting to happen...
Posted by: Jennifer Jeffrey | December 09, 2007 at 09:16 AM
CUESA records all the Meet the Farmer/Artisan viewers. Look for it here in a few days:
http://cuesa.org/events/listen/index.php
The interview was fab and inspiring!
Posted by: Jane | December 09, 2007 at 04:21 PM
The path of play and dance is definitely the way to go from my experience. To be honest, I'm pleasantly tickled that of all people June Taylor said those words. I think of jam and marmalade making as being all about precision and repetition. That unexpected element of playfulness is surely a key component to the mystical quality of her products. Can't wait to hear the audio.
Posted by: brett | December 13, 2007 at 10:12 AM