Saturday, August 29, 2010

What a busy day! Happy, hungry visitors strolled around the place, lugging bags of produce while balancing coffee cups and dim sum. Maybe the scene should be commonplace to me by now, but each week it’s still new. Guess that’s what keeps me coming back.

I have been thinking recently that in the 18 years I have been a vendor here, not a week has gone by that I have not met someone new. This week I met a couple who knew all my old haunts at the Jersey Shore from 40 years ago. By the way, the Jersey Shore as presented on the MTV show is exactly as I remember it, big hair and all.

The Market was so busy that I only had time to quickly snap a few pix during rare lulls at my booth. Enjoy. Rara Avis

There's safety under Daddy's shirt.

I just liked the movement in this shot.

Ed Brelsford is a virtuoso. He plays different instruments and sings in several languages.

Ethan, age 2. He's the one on top. Dave is the dad.

This is a great look.

Ben stands resplendent in Safety Yellow.

Young one-man-band, ready to survive in the coming economic meltdown.

Chloe, next to a jar of Russian Tea Cakes, her favorite.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

So, I missed last Saturday-couldn’t be helped, and it turned out to be another fine Vermont day. With this Saturday’s weather, that makes three Market days in a row with great weather-a new record. Yay!

This is the season of primary politics, and the Market has been inundated by politicians and political talk. Vermont has a very strange political climate, especially compared to places like New York. Over there, candidates do their best to portray opponents as lizard-like creatures who eat their own young. Here in Vermont politicians either naturally, or by design, go out of their way to make nice with opponents. I get the feeling that whoever prevails in the elections, the state will be just fine. Maybe woodstoves and maple sugar make us mellow. Enjoy the pix. Rara Avis

There be Husk Tomatoes-Very sweet.

I have no idea what this is.

I like yellow and red-Doesn't everyone?

High corn season.

Winter's coming.

Difficult choice of treats.

That's Kathleen looking in from the left, then Norma and Katherine to the right.

Upon seeing the camera, this kid started posing and grinning.

Today's down home entertainment.

Kid with great hat.

Brian happy to be working a booth.

Tat of the week.

Pregnant lady of the week.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Well, that makes two weeks in a row of perfect Market weather. Nobody can believe it-visitors and vendors dancing around the place rapturously, children eating vegetables, dogs and cats playing together. When the Amidons played their most excellent set , I could actually see musical notes floating out of their instruments into the air. Why…..these conditions will go on forever…one great day after the next…on and on….

Wait-Is that September I see ahead? And October close by? Guess I’d better get to stacking firewood…and its probably time to tune up the snow thrower…and clean the chimney.

Why is it that the major function of each season in Vermont is to showcase the next one coming up. Sheesh….think I’ll burn the calendars.

Wow! The nicest weather day of the summer. The place was packed. I had a couple come by who spend the summer attending farmers markets around New England. They pronounced the Brattleboro Farmers Market the best one of all. They liked everything: The site itself, farm products, crafts, bakery items, prepared food, entertainment, the general festive atmosphere.

Forget Disney-This is the happiest place on earth. I guess I’ll just keep doing Market until I drop. You can bury me under the sand box. Later. Rara Avis.

Kids love donuts.

Cool enough to sit in the sun. What a happy crowd.

Tat of the week.

Dude has a harmonica in his pocket. Ready to jam.

George and Rachel offer their "Tough Love" baby sitting services. They WILL tame your kid.