Comical or Scary?

When my children were in elementary school, clowns were familiar people at many youngsters' parties.   My adult son Karl revealed recently that he had been terrified of them.  Do you think I scarred him for life?!
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Send in the Clowns

by Cath "Shandy" Carpenter (Clown)

Send in the Clowns - Quick for something is wrong
The crowd gave a gasp where it didn't belong.
Has somebody fallen - is death standing near
Are the Lion trainers hand's trembling with fear?
The band skipped a beat, there were animal roars
Quick "send for the Joey's to boost the applause"

Send for the Clowns when the Dogs won't perform
When the Tigers are restless with on-coming storm
In motley and costume their ‘entree' must last
Till the cage is assembled - then get ‘em out fast.

Send for the Clowns - what d'you say? They're all gone
Well, that's it, we're finished, the show can't go on
Who'll make ‘em all laugh - get the children involved
Till the danger is past and all problems are solved.

From when the Big Top goes up - Till the king pole comes down
That's the power and the glory of being a Clown.

Shopping

Shopping can be an intense experience.

"seriously good preserves"

The phrase, "seriously good preserves" is on the business card for the products sold by the vendor http://www.heathglen.com/. Their display at the Farmer's Market in St. Paul is mouth watering, and these good people provide sample jars of their preserves for tasting purposes: Blueberry Jam with Lime and Mint, Blueberry Lavender with Merlot Wine, Peach Almond, Raspberry Chambord Jam, to name a few. Many of the preserves are even low sugar. Check out their website to see the prices and more selections. Perhaps you'd like to order some?? I'm returning next week to buy several jars for gifts. Good idea, huh?!

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy!

"Strawberries, Strawberries! Oh, deh's so fresh and fine, and deh's just off the vine! Strawberries, Strawberries." (Porgy and Bess)

Flowers at the Market

Now that there are more vegetables being harvested, the flowers and herbs are being discounted, and are real bargains. Strolling from vendor to vendor, I noticed many, many customers laden with blossoms. Click on the image for a closer look!

Where's the Beef?

The vendors at the Farmers Market offer an alternative to red beef, and farms that raise bison are available in Minnesota and nearby Wisconsin. Bison contains less fat than standard cuts of red beef and is considered healthier. A local restaurant features bison burgers and they taste great!

Peter Rabbit's Paradise

In the spring the market is awash with brilliant colours and hues when the flowers and plants are on display. When the vegetables are being harvested, it takes on different colours and shapes. Both phases are SO welcome after a hard, cold winter. In our neighborhood, rabbits are bounding everywhere, feasting on anything eatable. Looks like these vendors have kept the hungry critters at bay. Wouldn't the rabbits love this feast? Eat your heart out, bunny rabbits!!

Fun at the Farmers Market

The little girl's father looks pleased that I'm taking their picture. She looks pleased to have had both chocolate ice cream and a balloon animal!

Mystery Woman

I saw this woman at our local Farmers Market last Saturday, and I was fascinated by how quickly she moved from spot-to-spot. I enjoyed watching her as she strolled, both rapidly and leisurely, from one vendor to another. Didn't see her make any purchases, tho. Perhaps she just enjoyed the scene as I do.

Lilies of the Field

“Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Bible

Put on a Happy Face

"I remember in the circus learning that the clown was the prince, the high prince. I always thought that the high prince was the lion or the magician, but the clown is the most important."
Roberto Benigni

Shopping at the Market

A wonderful way to shop and transport your flowers!

The saga of the camera continues. For a current update, check yesterday's (5/23/09)post.

Would You Eat These?

Saturday was a COLD and CHILLY day that made visiting the Farmers' Market less than the pleasureable experience it has been all summer. Most of the vendors have discontinued their seasonal sales so the place was just a shadow of its former self. Still, I enjoyed the experience. I paused at the weird looking brussel sprouts. I take pleasure in vegetables and consume large amounts, but brussel sprouts have never been a favorite. Perhaps I just don't have a good recipe. Any suggestions?

Staff of Life

TODAY IN MINNESOTA HISTORY: 1992-The Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in St. Paul (MNHS Website).

At the feet of musicians

I recently posted a photo of a young female musician. The group of girls with her sang and played violins. When they sang Spanish songs, their violins rested at their feet. We missed the music Mass at their parish church last Sunday because we had house guests (grandkids!) but we'll go next week-end.

MN Worker

Many Hmong families work diligently to sell their crafts, flowers, fruits, and vegetables at the Farmers' Market. Hmong families often concentrate on agriculture and the men, women, and children all work together Whenever I see older men or women, I wonder about their life stories. I would love to know how this woman got to St. Paul, why did she leave her country, and whether or not her relatives are with her? Who sponsored her and her family? Because I have taught young students who came to our city in the first wave of Asian refugees, I know that some of the hardships they endured are often beyond our belief or imagination. For this woman I wish much happiness,good health, and prosperity in our city.

Flowers, food, and music

During my weekly stop at the downtown Farmers' Market in St. Paul, I savor more than just the sight of plants and food. As I stop to smell the flowers along the way, I am able to enjoy music, too!

Bouquets!

Many different kinds of bouquets can be carried around during Farmers Market days. (All these were taken last Saturday, July 21, but somehow I can't seem to be able to change the date--try as I may!)