Before we begin…please take a moment to list all the things you did already this morning that required some technical assistance.
For instance, did you turn on a water faucet to brush your teeth? Flush a toilet to…well…just nod your head. Did you turn on a light? Brew some coffee? Re-set your AC for today’s heatwave?
This Labor Day weekend, raise your hands and thank the people responsible…Plumbers, electricians, and steamfitters made your a.m. transition just a bit more pleasant. And they don’t work alone… sanitation workers, teachers, auto mechanics, mail carriers and even the TV crews with the news, all make their living trying to live up to your daily expectations. And fight every day to keep them alive. Union Strong.
My dad was one of four brothers, sons of immigrants, who each went into a different trade. He never went to college, but he could fix just about anything. And boy, there are days when I miss his skills like crazy. He was the roof over our heads, the innkeeper in charge, the founder of every feast, and the Santa delivery system for his 8 “apprentices.” Mom didn’t have a union card, but she sure knew how to keep the workforce healthy and happy.
Labor and trade may make the world go ‘round 24-7, but they also made sure that all workers had time off the clock, a living wage, and an occasional paid holiday…like this Monday coming up. So, this Labor Day, be sure to say Thank You!
And say goodbye to August.
We knew it was bound to come to this, and somehow, 70+ years in, I can still smell the pencil shavings and the saddle shoes. But school bells notwithstanding, September is probably the nicest month on the calendar. Humidity disappears…like someone vacuumed the air. At least that’s what supposed to happen, but in record-setting 2023, who knows?
In terms of local produce, September is the clear winner…riding the cusp between summer and fall delivery systems. Still peaches to be had, and berries, corn and tomatoes…but making room for pears and blue-black plums and, of course…apples. Don’t know about you, but I’m never ready to see the apples while the peaches are still in play.
While I’m here in the produce aisle, I do want to mention one little point of etiquette that’s been called to my attention. Please don’t squeeze!
Last week I gave some ink here as to the proper way to buy fresh corn. Continuing that thought: Our favorite summer fruits…pears, berries, peaches and yes, the tomato…are mostly soft flesh covered by very thin skin. So they ripen quickly and bruise even faster. And do you want a peach pocked with a big thumbprint left by the person ahead of you in line? I can see heads shaking from here. So please refrain from pinching the peach until after you’ve bought it. Thanks.
While we’re on the subject of fruit…the Great LFM Bake-Off is still 9 weeks away, and already I’m hearin’ contestants talking’ smack about who’s walkin’ away with the top $100 prize. Yay! If you’ve signed up, but didn’t get your Market Buck, please stop by the Managers tent.
Also, if you’ve signed up, but now find you need to sign out, please let us know. We have a waiting list of “British Baking Show” wannabes.
Coming Up:
In the Music Tent: They’re back! By popular demand…Bill Baraldi & Simone will be covering everyone from the Beatles to Adele to whoever is topping the charts this month.
Don’t forget…Dog Day is next Saturday (9/9)…so, time to get Fido camera ready. There will be prizes.
And there will also be music! Our own Good Shepherd Sebastian has booked the Music Tent…Seriously…what doesn’t Sebastian do?
Don’t stop here…Check out the entire Lansdowne Link for all the rest of what’s what.
See you here and there,
Terry B