The Farm Market: Weekend Stress Relief




"Oh, lovely!" I exclaimed, digging in my purse for my camera as I encountered golden beets in a basket at today's little farm market on the bay.

Two women buying produce laughed. "She's not talking about us," they giggled to the vender.

"Me neither," said the vender, who was indeed quite lovely with a pleasant, slightly weathered face, strawberry blond hair tucked under a pink baseball cap and her change tucked into the pockets of a flowered apron.

The farm market has grown these past five summers, and I have come to know the vendors. This is not the market I visited when I began writing here in 2006, but a newer one across town. There is no CSA this year, sadly, and not all the produce is organic, but the market is back to a grassy spot near the marina, and the light is much better for photographing produce and flowers.

I envy these microbusiness owners for their independence, and I love how nicely they display their wares. They are primarily women with a keen sense of merchandising.

The half hour or so I spend at the market each weekend is as essential to my sanity as a bedside novel, an occasional massage, and regular hair trims.

Here are more images from today's market. Aren't the colors fabulous? The photos below look like painted postcards to me.




Comments

pam said…
Those beets are gorgeous!
Unknown said…
I thought so! Loved the colors at today's market.
Kalyn Denny said…
I haven't been to the Farmer's Market once this year. Our market is getting so crowded; yours sounds like it still has some charm.
Unknown said…
Our farm markets are small. We have 5-6 farm stands scattered around the community that operate from mid-July to mid-October. They are dominated by three big families with German roots that have intermarried. So cousins compete with cousins to sell corn and melons all summer long!
Christine said…
Hi Mimi! Our farmers market is still "manageable" in that one can get around the plaza, look at everything, make purchases, chat with friends and be done within an hour. I like that yours is small enough that you get to know all the vendors. It's so good the see you back here.
Unknown said…
Thanks, Christine, I am happy to be back.

I will miss the market this weekend, but may be able to get to the Friday market downtown.
Jann said…
oh, the colors are fabulous! What a wonderful way to spend a morning! I actually was able to do some "marketing" several times during my visits back to Seattle this spring and summer......it is therapy to me! I love seeing what comes from the ground and goes to the table~
Bernideen said…
I so agree - I really miss having time to can and garden and go to the farmers market! I wish retirement could come sooner!

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