In Shaw (an historically gentrified blog)

Sunday- with a focus on the farmers market

This is one of those general living in the city posts.

The problem with the first day of Dayligh Savings time is you are off. Normally, on Sunday I wake at about 7ish, grab the Sunday Washington Post, eat, read, ponder what I'm going to wear and get out at about 9:30ish. Today, I woke up, pondered that I did not have time to read and barely had time to eat and what ever I was thinking I was going to wear did not match up to what I wanted to do for the rest of the day. I had to wear something washable because I wanted to stop by a garden place and pick up dirt.
A little after 9:30 I'm out the door. I bike a little less than a mile, before I hit the Dupont Circle Farmer's Market. I think today was the first day of there full market where they block off a street and have vendors all over. I buy 1/2 gallon of whole milk and a pint of skim and ask the fellow to hold it for me. I had an unfortunate incident before where I bought the milk, went to church and the milk slowly leaked in my bag. So now, I ask for a later pick up. The milk is so good. The problem is that other people agree and by the time I'm out of church & back to the market, it's all gone.
On my morning bike ride I observe all sorts of bad driver behavior. See there is this bike lane. I'm on a bike so I ride in it. There are these cars. There isn't a lane that says "car lane" but the big lane is a given that that's their lane. Here's the problem. Although having this great big lane in which to drive, I notice cars venture over in the bike lane. People have lost the art of using a turn signal as well. 'Nother thing, red means stop, not conitinue to inch up into the intersection.
The good thing about Sunday mornings is that there aren't too many cars out, so it is easy riding. I can take up one little lane, which more than often turns into a parked car lane, leaving 1 or 2 other lanes for cars.
I get to my Georgetown church, and notice there is a complete lack of double parking. I pass by at least three churhes, two at least dating back to the 19th century. The worst illeagal parking? Too close to the curb. Of course double parking would be impossible. Double park on these little streets and the only thing that could possibly get by is a Mini Cooper. Maybe. Of course, it helps that members either A- live near the church; B- take the bus; C- take a cab or use other drop off service; or D- park legally.
After services, back on the bike and back to the market. Now I can take a more leisurly stroll through the place. First, I picked up my milk. Then I looked around and did some comparision shopping. Some folks sell their produce at a lower price than others. I've made the mistake before, where I bought from the first stall I saw only discover, same stuff, different stall, lower price. There are two guys selling yogurt, about two or more selling apples, three or more selling salad greens, and three or more selling cheese. The place was busy and the good bike parking was taken or covered in oriental rugs. There were people with dogs and kids, walking, running into each other and chatting away. Vendors took a good long while to talk with whomever was at the front of the line about how whatever they make was made, how to prepare it, or what ever information regarding whatever was for sale.
Thrity dollars poorer, I biked out with peach blossom buds, milk, yogurt, goat cheese, salad greens, fancy mushrooms, and apples. It was a heavy load on my bike.
I did get to the garden center after dumping all the market stuff. But no dirt I wanted. Peat moss, play sand and mulch was all I saw. Looked for something else as they were having a sale, but I didn't see anything I needed.
Back at the homestead I focused on gardening. I wandered across the street to chat with a neighbor doing her yard. A few others were out in their yards. In my own yard I did some digging. I had enough sunlight to work both the front and back yards. I'm sore from working in the yard Saturday. I'm going to be even sore-er Monday for all the bending and lifting I'm doing today.
I saw some mint and thyme at the farmer's market that would go well in the yard. Well maybe next week.

posted by Mari @ 2.4.06