Busy season is Busy

 Market yesterday was one of those extremely satisfying ones with those random spontaneous encounters that make it so rich. The rain was inconvenient, particularly because we can't get a real prediction these days and the one I counted on was flat wrong, but I was able to keep most things dry with two umbrellas so it ended well. I will do anything to not bring that popup and weights. 

As it was my body was quite worn out last night, though I feel okay today. I've resumed standing all day with the right combination of shoes and socks, though it isn't all easy. I find I do not want to go all the way to the back of farmers, or spend much time wandering (not that I have that kind of time anyway) due to the foot pain. The neck was okay, though not all the way okay. But I still have enough juice to do some summer pruning today, I hope. It is beckoning to me.

A couple of write-ins for the election rounds out the ballot a bit more, so we have an actual slate with choices. And...I see from the newsletter that a Secretary will be in place! I kind of know the man and know enough about him to have confidence that he will take it seriously and we'll be in good hands for minutes and the law, after he grows into it a bit. It's a position that can deepen as your understanding of nonprofits increases, so I hope his does and he sticks with it. 

Our archives are rich with helpful documents and gathered research to support Board and officers, but since the current narrative is that all of our collective knowledge was "lost" or is irrelevant now, I tend to just wait to be asked. I hope all of the Board members know I am willing to provide whatever I have, but not to the ones who have bullied me. I want zero contact with anyone who bullies me. I do not accept that bullying is something we need to tolerate in our community. 

If you are going to judge me by what someone else says about me, ask yourself why. Is this your normal practice with people? I always tell people to make their own observations and not take my word for anything. I don't even tell people about this blog since it is supposedly bringing down the market or some such story. I invite you to read back all 15 years of it if you think I don't support and love the organization we have built. 

Yesterday some of the highlights were a woman from CA who said she was the first Latina brewery owner, starting in 2020 right before the pandemic. She's apparently quite famous now as that type of leader tends to be. We had fun discussing politics, gender and racism issues tangentially as she discovered my bandanas. I also had a sweet interaction with a woman whose son was in the NICU and was in town unplanned...she had always wanted to come to market so took a break to see us. I gave her a hat. She was so calm for someone with that much to carry emotionally. I am thinking she must be a fantastic mother.

As I was finishing packing up, a young father came with his two boys on bikes and they were just having so much fun it made me laugh. I got him to take my photo and gave a couple of pennies to the kids to throw in the fountain, something I do during the day so they have a way to interact with it that doesn't need to involve putting their bodies into it. The three of them were all so sweet it just took away my tiredness and the whole way home (with that headwind!) was a pleasure. 

Here I am! As you can see, most everyone else is gone.

 

 Being next to the fountain is a mixed experience, but we are liking the on-off cycle this season. It gets nice and quiet when it's off so we get a calming moment or two, which is welcome on the high-volume days like yesterday. With Fathers' Day and Graduation this time of year is always very busy for me, since I have gifts for men. I started making some new hats, with a pink bill they call maroon, which are selling out fast every week. Possums look really good on it. 

I just ordered some more. Here's to another week of overworking as hard as I can!