Proud to be a 'locavore'

(Watch Debbie Watts on WSMV-TV Channel 4's (NBC) Midday news program at 12:30 p.m. July 28.  To order her new book, Wordabulous!, visit http://www.Amazon.com or call Shine Time Books at 615-242-9857.)

By Debbie Watts (a.k.a. Word Woman)

     WORDABULOUS, Tenn. -- As I peruse the most recent 100 words that Merriam Webster has added to the collegiate dictionary, I can see that one I will use because it describes me to a “t” is the word, “locavore".  Paraphrasing, a locavore is one who is a consumer of local products.  I find this especially true during the summer, when the locally grown produce is plentiful.  A perfect afternoon for me is to stop at many of the roadside truck-bed mini-markets and stock up on the beautiful tomatoes, okra, squash and corn.  The blackberries (the edible kind) in my area have been particularly plump and delicious this year.  

     As I think about all the local products that my area is richly blessed with, I can’t help but think about one of our richest resources – and bargains.  That being our local public schools.  At this time of year, there is an excitement in the air because soon our children will be returning to the classroom.  Just this morning I took a drive to the site of a new school, and I thought how blessed the children in this neighborhood will be to have such a pristine new facility in which to learn.

    Other local products that I find myself partaking of include local tv and radio.  As programming quality goes, our local major network affiliates can compete anywhere.  Being an educator, I find that during the summer months, I get up in the morning and as I sit writing at my laptop, I turn the television set on and leave it on one of the local affiliates for the entire day.  When I get into my car, I listen to local talk radio.  An admitted newspaper junkie, I can’t wait to look at a local paper in the morning.  My children and I have frequented the local playgrounds, parks, festivals, pools, libraries and movie theatres all summer.  Local craftsmen and artisans have made substantial bucks as a result of my support over the years.  Being raised near Music City, USA, I have been spoiled with the abundance of local musical talent, with songwriters’ nights and free outdoor concerts always being there for me.

     All of this is to say that I am proud to be a locavore.  And being “Word Woman,” I just can’t resist the temptation to coin my own new addition to my own unwritten dictionary.  If a locavore is one who consumes local products, then describe me as “loca-voracious”.