Chats With Strangers

I come from a line of very chatty folks. If my Pop is in an elevator with you (you being a complete stranger in this scenario), after passing several floors, it's pretty likely he'll have learned your name, where you're from, and where you're headed. If you should meet my mom in a restaurant, she'll have gained the same information and will additionally part ways with a big, tight hug.

Furthermore, both of my grandmothers are notorious talkers, chatting up the kids, grandkids, and complete strangers with equal vim and vigor. We're a vocal bunch, my lineage. We like to connect, articulate, convey, and inquire (heavy emphasis on the inquire bit). I'm certainly not immune to this genetic predisposition. It's in my blood. If you are ringing up my groceries, I'll make a comment about your cool hat. If you're repairing something in my house, I'll find out your name and how long you've lived in the area. I'm curious about the lives of others, and so, following tradition, I'll chat you up.

Which is how I came to meet Josh and Denise. Josh, with his unmistakable goatee (more on this later) and piled-up dreads, was someone I recognized from the wine and beer department of my local natural food store. One auspicious day, I saw him at a gas station out near my house. Living, as I do, about 20 minutes outside of downtown, I began to wonder if he shared my stomping grounds. And so, the next time I saw him at the natural foods store, I chatted with him. Turns out he does live out my way. Even better, his wife, Denise, is a cheese-maker, crafting exquisite mozzarella cheeses for area stores and farmer's markets. Our friendship blossomed. Josh, it turns out, is a chatty type, too. I'd found "my people."

I would go on to shadow Denise during one of her cheese-making rounds, learning the art of stretching warmed curd, and later profile her in my "Home Dairy" book, the third in the "Homemade Living" series ("Home Dairy" will be available April 2011). Josh, Denise, and their adorable daughter Elora, have attended several dinner parties at our home. Yesterday, I finally made it over to their place. They're goat owners, and chicken owners, and dog and cat and garden owners. My people, again. Lured over by Denise's recent mention of new baby goats, I seized the opportunity offered by a sunny day (finally!) and headed up the steep mountain to their high-altitude mini-farm.

It was an absolute delight. They're a wonderful couple, in love with each other, their daughter, and the life they're forging together. Their menagerie of animals was gorgeous, and friendly, aside from the head-butting antics of their alpha billy goat (who, like Josh, sports a goatee; until yesterday, I never realized that the hairy beard hanging from a goat is where the word "goatee" comes from-seems obvious, but then, I've been known to overlook the obvious).

I look forward to spending more time with my new human and animal friends. Good thing I chatted Josh up that day. Talking to strangers offers the possibility for rewards you might never have imagined. Thanks for the chatty gene, Mom and Pop.

*To see more photos from my visit with Josh and Denise, click here.