Our post today comes from local blogger Victoria Rose, who writes regularly in her blog My Local Food. A self-avowed locavore, Victoria cherishes and champions all that is local. A trait that we desperately want her to propogate…

My husband says that I live in a world of gum drops and unicorn farts. He feels that I put too much faith in the good of man and that my hope for the future is not very pragmatic. Apparently I’m supposed to be a pessimist like him (although he insists that he’s a realist).

Sound familiar? This is the attitude that I’m constantly facing when it comes to Essex County, whether it’s in regards to what we already have or what we can expect. Comments in the paper, comments on the street…it’s all negative. It’s also all talk. I want to see action.

I have not given up on our region. I really do believe that Essex County has a lot to offer and yes, I include Windsor in that statement.

Perhaps our region is not seen as majestic, but there is beauty and bounty here that is often overlooked. If you have lived anywhere else in the world (or if you have read about economies of these places) then you know that we are actually in a pretty good state compared to the majority of the globe.

Here are just a few of the reasons why Canada rocks:

Our standard of life is a good one: We have a minimum wage. We have health care. Our cost of living is low including our price of food (and accessibility to it).

We are free: Our youth do not know war or famine and get to go to school each day. We can speak our mind and vote and write or blog or meet about our opinions.

And here are just a few of the reasons why Windsor & Essex County rocks:

Our location is ideal: We can access things in the U.S. and Americans bring tourism dollars here. Our warm season is a long one and our winters are quite mild. I love going for walks when the sun is out and the snow is falling.

Recreation is stellar: We have a great riverfront and endless trails throughout the county. We can enjoy activities year-round, most with little to no cost. Walking or canoeing or boating with family and friends (or alone) is a great way to spend an afternoon.

We can eat locally: many cities can’t even get near this option yet we are surrounded by wineries, breweries, greenhouses, farms, etc. There isn’t a one-stop local shop yet but there are some stores that carry a lot of local products or you can plan a day to tour the county with family or friends (or your dog!). And trust me on this one, once you start eating local products, switching to something else is tough…the quality here is fantastic!

There’s a lot to do: We have art galleries and museums and cafes and theatres and endless events. Some come with a very low price tag; many are free! Do you like music? You could probably hear a different independent artist play every night of the year for free at one of the local cafes or bars.

Diversity surrounds us: Even a decade ago it was hard to imagine that your lunch of choice would be anything but a sandwich. Now it’s Lebanese and Indian and Thai and Japanese. These and countless other cultures bring us restaurants and grocery stores, events, and awareness. When we started dating, I was shocked to find out that my husband had not tried many foreign foods; he got a quick introduction through our local access to amazing restaurants that serve shawarma and curry and pad thai.

The awesome photo leading you into this blog post was taken by Michael Johnson at sunrise on New Year’s Day from the top of the hill in Malden Park. What a way to start the year!

We have great opportunities here but most think it impossible and just bitch about what’s wrong with everything and wonder why it doesn’t get fixed. Let’s make 2009 a year filled with more positive thoughts and even more forward action.

Did you know that some things you can fix yourself without waiting for the city to do something? There was a Windsor Star story about a couple that walk through a riverfront park every week and pick up trash because they enjoy the park and they know the city doesn’t have the resources for it. They are making a difference. I know that I can make a difference too and think that some small things that I have done (through donating, volunteering, etc.) have helped, despite it being a small contribution.

If you want the city to change/improve then maybe you should get involved too; join a group, be part of a movement, plan an event, share your skills at a workshop or attend one. I have hope for you and I have hope for our city. Unlike some others, I don’t think that hope is that kind of four letter word and it should be okay to say it in public.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” And if that’s too flowery for you, here’s the realist phrase, “Sometimes you have to wipe your own ass.”

Tags: Food, guest blogger, relocalization