We’ve all heard the expression: If you don’t like the weather now, just wait five minutes. Well, October gave us her version of that at last Saturday’s Farmers Market… If you were there, you know what I’m talking about. But we all lived to tell the tale, and this Saturday we’ll be right back where you left us. So come on down!
For all you leaf-peepers out there, along with its warm days and chilly nights you can thank this October for the extra boost of rain that promises to give us one of PA’s more colorful leaf shows in quite some time. Along with a few thousand other like-minded peepers, I spent some of that time this week ridin’ the rails up in Jim Thorpe (aka Mauch Chunk) PA, a dusty old coal town that has lately fallen on some much better times. It’s less than 90 minutes away so if you have a few hours to spend, this would be a great way to cash them in. And maybe get an up-close lesson on a not-so-long-ago time in PA’s history.
Of course, while all that color is bursting out over our heads, October is also making things happen below our feet. This is when all those root veggies take pride of place in the market stall. Turnips, beets, sweet potatoes and carrots come out to play. Cabbages, eggplants and…whoa!… get a load of the squash!…or are they gourds?…or both? Beyond pumpkins and butternuts, each year the farmers seem to add another size, shape and color to the family. But are they good eats or just doorstep drama queens? Actually, that depends on your kitchen confidence quotient. More on them another time. … Moving on to the fruit aisle…
Autumn fruits, the pears, grapes and berries, are here and now.
And what can we say about apples that hasn’t already been said? But I’ll say it anyway. Yum! The perfect snack to bring on a hike or just a walk around the block. Neat and tidy. No napkin needed. But which apple is the bigger question. What’s your pleasure? Sweet or tart? Do you have arguments with your friends and loved ones about which is which? Turns out, your mouth may be telling you something. Nerd alert! Foradditional reading: Along with all the variations of apples, your own tastebuds get to have a say in how that particular apple tastes to you. So there! Everyone’s right. Enjoy responsibly.
Even bigger question: what to do with that core? Another individual choice. Lots of people have no problem devouring it entire…seeds and all. Problem solved. Roughage gained. Or, depending on where you are at the moment, do you toss it into the nearest shrub as a gift to the local critters? Or to decay back into the soil? No judgment here. You do you.
The shorter days and the coming winter isolation are also a good time to administer some self-love and affection…to your skin, your senses and maybe even your soul. This week at Shell’s Shea Naturals treat yourself or somebody you love to a lip balm or a body butter. Or stop by the Artist tent for some aromatherapy and a dose of good horse sense*.
(*Stop by and see why).
In the Music Tent: Grey Dog Down…Lansdowne denizens, Kim Robson and Russell Ferarra bring one of the more unique sounds we’ve ever featured here. A mashup of jammy guitar and soaring flute.
Hard to believe that the LFM tent folds up just two weeks from this one. Which means only two more weeks to the big BAKE OFF! Bakers, you know who you are! If you haven’t yet confirmed the spot you signed up for, please do that now so that we are ready for you and your possibly $100!!! dessert.
October is our reward for living through the dog days of summer. Take some time to enjoy it.
Terry B