Fun Farmer's Market!

If you were driving down Highway 18 and saw this smiling guy dancing with a giant sunflower on the side of the road at a Saturday Farmer's Market, what would you do?

Since I am a fan of smiling and dancing, I pulled over. It was an extra bonus that I also saw a "sweet corn for sale" sign, even though it wasn't at sunflower dancer Brenden Whitelaw's booth. Among other yummy looking plants, he offered exotic cucumbers, fancy zucchini, and Scottish kale, which I wish I'd tasted while I was there.

Coming up, not this weekend because of the St. George Ironman competition, which tends to close roads, are lemongrass, dill, kohlrabi, White Spice Carrots (what?!) and, of all things, Cosmic Purple Carrots!

Brenden also sells colorful corn, perfect for fall decorations or eating, and he promised larger ears to come! 

So if you're in the market for entertainment, good conversation, and fresh vegetables that you aren't likely to find at a grocery store, then stop by the junction of Highway 18 and the turnoff to Pine Valley, (which is roughly the center of the town of Central, Utah) on Saturday.

For even more fun, there are other booths there, too, such as easy-to-talk-to Dale in his genuine cowboy hat, offering his homemade flutes and unique one-of-a-kind Western decorations for sale.

You're sure to find something fun and interesting there, so stop by if you can!

Have you ever been to a Farmer's Market?

CAROL OF THE TALES musical celebration!

This delightfully eclectic collection of Christmas stories, with one tale for each day leading up to Christmas, is being celebrated at concert to honor veterans on Pearl Harbor day by a variety of musicians, including the Saltaires Barbershop Chorus. Don't miss this Saturday, December 7 event!

CLICK HERE for details to treat yourself to a memorable holiday experience!

Hagrid's Baby Brother

by Shirley Bahlmann
The young women flitting about my book booth had charming accents, Bosnian, they told me. There were three of them, bright eyed, eager, chattering over the books on display in lilting languages. "I speak more than one language," a dark-haired beauty told me. "Once you know two, you can easily learn more."
I would have to take her word for it.
Standing among the bright and fluttery girls was a tall pillar of a man, his face made small between a head of long hair and full dark beard that reached the middle of his chest. I kid you not, he looked like Hagrid's (the giant from "Harry Potter") little brother, "little" being a relative term. My visitor was several inches over six feet tall.
When the Bosnian girls bounced away to another booth, Hagrid Junior remained behind. Since he hadn't spoken a word, I didn't know if he was Bosnian, too. So I said, "Hello."
"Hello," he replied, his deep American voice shaking the floor.
I never asked his connection with the girls, and I don't remember how we got on the subject of idols, but even after I expressed my opinion that famous people are just regular folks with recognized faces, he admitted to idolizing John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and Joseph Smith. (That comment gave me pause. Was Joseph Smith musically inclined?)
I was fascinated when Mini-Hagrid told me he traveled all over the world. "What do you do?" I asked, my ears open and eager for the secrets of world travel.
"Music."
"What kind?"
"Guitar. I just open my case and play."
"And you make enough money to travel?"
Shrimpy-Hagrid's eyes crinkled for the first time during our entire conversation. He tipped his head toward me as if sharing a confidence. "Oh, yeah," he said with a reassuring nod.
After Hagrid-Half-Pint left, I found myself daydreaming of International travel. Hey, I've got an old saxophone in my basement, complete with case. All I have to do is put heavy duty magnets in the bottom, and visit countries with magnetic money...

Don't Swallow Your Harmonica

I'd never seen such a tiny harmonica. When my father-in-law put it to his mouth, I thought for sure that if he hiccuped, he'd be playing "Auld Lang Syne" in his sleep with every snore.
After a rendition of "Oh My Darling Clementine," he said, "Amazing, isn't it? I can play a song with just four holes."
"That is amazing," I said. "It's also amazing that you can keep hold of it. You could use that thing for a tie tac."
Dad lifted up a slender, silver chain that draped down from the end of the tiny harmonica. "Do you see this?" he asked. I nodded. "I keep it on this chain in case I accidentally swallow it. Then I can pull it back up."
I had to laugh. It's good to have a plan.