The Farmers’ Market
Happy Fourth of July from Portland, Maine! It’s a beautiful, sunny summer day today – just perfect for cookouts and fireworks!
Sunny days have been almost as hard to come by as days off, recently. My world has been so full of theatre and excitement the past few months, it’s hard to keep up! Soon, I hope to share some of what I’ve been working on at Maine State Music Theatre (Dreamgirls, Hair, Les Misérables!), but for now I’d like to share a few photos from a sunny day that I really had the chance to enjoy.
Last Saturday, I found myself with an entire day off – no commitments, no pre-determined plans. Honestly, I had no idea what to do with myself. The weather seemed a bit indecisive that morning – gray and foggy – which I love about Maine. Oh, the fog! I grabbed breakfast at Aurora Provisions and wandered around the West End for a little while. I started to head home when I realized the Farmers’ Market was open. I haven’t been in a year or more, so it often slips my mind.
Walking into the park, I was amazed by how many new vendors I saw and the number of people walking around. The produce looked and smelled amazing. There was a good breeze blowing through the park – on it traveled the scent of fresh strawberries, rosemary, and garlic. I wanted to buy it all, rush home, and cook. I ate with my eyes, instead, enjoying all of the colors and textures.
I was also struck by the variety of offerings new (to me) to the Farmers’ Market. Meats, eggs, cheeses, popsicles, smoothies!
Flowers were available in abundance the last time I visited the market, but now there were bigger plants for sale, like mini blueberry and raspberry bushes!
Adding to the energy were musicians, two couples practicing a little acro yoga, and a poet for hire. I wish I’d had a little extra money – I would have commissioned a haiku. Perhaps next time!
After filling my shopping bag with leafy greens and fresh strawberries, I wandered around the park for a little while. I’ve never really spent any time in the park when it was this quiet before, so it was a nice change of pace. There were ducks everywhere; almost as abundant were giddy toddlers, fascinated by their feathered, waddling peers.
The vendors at the Farmers’ Market began to pack up just as it started to sprinkle. I ventured home with my findings and enjoyed a few fresh strawberries on the porch.
The sun emerged from the clouds, just in time for a beautiful walk downtown and the last day of the Greek Food Festival. That’s a post for another day, though – the July sun is calling to me, now! Have a safe and happy holiday, everyone!
audrahatch 