Neighborhood farmers. . . . . . . .

Most of us love having a Farmers' Market convenient to our home, don't we?

It's one of those special places to spend a couple of hours on an early
 summer's morning. Armed with a cute shopping basket or recyclable bag, 
you soon find yourself filling it with beautiful fresh fruits, veggies and 
if lucky, freshly laid eggs and bunches of just picked flowers.

We are close to several excellent markets open at this time of year, however
lately, two of my immediate neighbors have been very generous sharing
bounty from their gardens. Tomatoes, cukes, peppers appear often. . . . .these
 above from Nick across the street on Monday.  Nick is young and really
interested in gardening - I see how excited he is picking his veggies
and having extra to share. In return we sent him back across the street 
with a bowl of our freshly picked figs. 
Great to have 'farmers' tapping on the door with good things to eat. . . . .
. . . . . but of course we'll still enjoy going to the market on a Saturday morning.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart to all the farmers who work
 so hard to feed us.  
It's not until you dig up a bed of heavy clay soil, amend it, plant a few tomatoes
 and spend weeks in the hot summer sunshine, wielding a garden house while
 praying for some rain, picking off gross fat worms, running off deer, squirrels
 and pecking birds, that you understand just how hard farming is. 
I know, I've done it, and I know many of you have too!

Here's to farmers everywhere, ploughing acres of fields or puttering about in
 raised garden beds, we salute you all.