Every Saturday, starting in the spring and running through the fall, the local farmer’s market sets up along Main Street. Fresh vegetables, breads, cheeses, and honey line the street under large tents where the different farms set up. Each week a new assortment of local creations are piled high on flimsy tables and stands: the first peaches of the season, blueberries, cabbage, beets, zucchini, and peas. The fresh greenery dazzles my eyes.
Though it’s a struggle to rise at 8 am on a Saturday after a long week of work, I still manage, dreaming of the crisp sweet corn picked that very day.
Each Saturday is an adventure filled with strange new terminology–clingstone versus freestone peaches–that I had never known.
And the summer air. And the quiet drive. And the cool breeze, or humid breeze, or hot breeze, on my face.
My cat smells the difference between supermarket produce and farmer’s market produce and comes running when I pile the table high with the freshest of fresh local greens. He sniffs and bites and stalks, purring loudly as he moves.
Yesterday I used the zucchini bought at the market to make a moist zucchini bread. It’s a perfect morning match for coffee.
These things–the outside things, the local things–inspire the creator in me. The thing inside all writers that moves us to create and sometimes destroy. The fascination I have with swaying trees and dark nights and sharp grass, they all change my insides and make me tingle. Those are the nights I stay up late, unable to sleep because the creator is at work in me and I must loose it from my stomach onto the blank page.
That is summer. That is writing.
Mmmm… I can deeply identify with you and your cat in a true affinity for all things green and fresh and growing. And zucchini bread – oh YES. I have to ensure that I have someone with me when I bake a loaf, otherwise I run the risk of eating the whole thing myself. :O
Have a great week!
Reminds me of the times I lived in places like Seattle (Farmer’s Market) and San Francisco. I felt a bit of yearning for the randomness I encountered on a walk.
JLB,
I know what you mean. I have trouble not sampling everything I buy all at once.
Scott,
I’d bet that the San Francisco and Seattle markets are much better then my local one. The one here is pretty small, really only a dozen or so stands. But still worthwhile.
I have to say, Seattle area farmer’s markets kick royal ass! But I’m biased… 🙂
Thanks for the trip to the atmospheric farmer’s market, Oni. Too bad, we don’t have such markets here, but then our fruit and vegetable markets are all under the open sky anyway. It’s one of my life missions to visit one of these Western farmer’s markets some day.
You are right on about the freshness of such a place inspiring the creator within. Lovely post.
I feel the same pull when I’m out and about. Trying to capture those feelings is one of my greatest motivators to write.
Drool. Just about my favorite thing in this world is warm zuchini bread.
Getting out is good. Tough to feel inspired by the same old room day after day.
IMy trip to the market this week was equally inspiring. The peaches are starting to come full force, not to mention the green tomoatos.