Farmers’ markets and bus demographics

One of the things I love about being back in the States (in addition to libraries) are farmers’ markets. If you don’t have the time to actually talk to people and ask where the farmers’ market is (or the people you talk to don’t know), a quick search on the Internet will reveal times and places, which, when plugged into Google Maps, tells you how to get there. This past Saturday brought us to the Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market on the corner of Riva Road & Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD. From 6^th St. in Eastport, it is about a 5mile walk down West St., then Riva Rd. If walking there in May/June, keep an eye out for the mulberry tree on the West side of Riva Rd. for a nice snack.

As always, it pays to arrive at farmers’ markets early. We, however, were a bit late (8:30), but lucked out anyways. After purchasing my greens and expressing my surprise that there had been tomatoes available earlier, the old man went to his truck and pulled out a brown paper bag. In it held a quart of greenhouse beefsteaks that he had been saving for a favorite customer. That favorite customer had not arrived in time and the last quart was now up for grabs. I snatched them up before anyone else could overhear our conversation and start a bidding war. Later, after eating tomato sandwiches for lunch, Rick said those tomatoes reminded him of tomatoes from his childhood.

Here’s the listing for Maryland farmers’ markets: http://www.mda.state.md.us/md_products/farmers_market_dir.php

Rick’s panniers were full, albeit full of light greens. Nevertheless, we opted to take the bus back to Eastport. As we boarded the bus and began to take our seats, the young man sitting in front asked if we had a cell phone and if he could borrow it. I said yes and as I was digging it out, he explained that he had just gotten out of prison and needed to call his Mom. As I handed the phone over, I reasoned to myself that if he was going to steal our cell phone, he wouldn’t be telling a story about having just gotten out of prison. Besides, where on the bus was he going to hide? He never did reach his Mom, nor his girlfriend Katie (who’s name was tattooed on his arm), but he did return our cell phone. It was interesting to note that at a time of record gas prices and in a city with a great bus system, the only people on the bus were women of color, elderly white ladies, transient boaties, and an ex-con.

PS
Rick was just about to report me to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) when I quickly explained that I was not abusing his honey bear, that I was simply trying to de-crystallize the honey.