It has been a tradition in the Town of Almonte for many years to conduct a Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings in the summer. Last evening – being the Summer Solstice – conveniently announced today the official beginning of this decidedly rural commercial exploit which by further coincidence was a relaxing Saturday (and an ideally sunny and balmy one to boot).
About a week ago (during a casual encounter) we had made a tentative arrangement with a gentleman – an artist – to frequent the Farmer’s Market today to take a gander at his work. The agronomist category of the market extends to a more general retail nature, including local domestic handicrafts and culinary delights (fresh cooked breakfasts, pickles, jams, butters and of course maple syrup). Given the overwhelming artistic character of Almonte it is no surprise to see in the mix as well a variety of paintings, sculpture, pottery, etc.
Getting to the Farmer’s Market is not normally of concern. The venue is in or near the parking lot adjacent the Elizabeth Kelly Library. The land is at the crest of Mill Street (Almonte’s main commercial street) not far from the Old Town Hall and the Mississippi River. The site is also along the Alameda Walking Trail and the Ottawa Valley Rail Trail (the former B&O Railway line). If it matters, there is a beer store and meat market nearby in addition to a very popular rummage store called the “Hub” (or what I recall to be officially described as the “Almonte Community Coordinators Inc.”). All in all the location makes for a diverse outing whatever one’s specific goal.
The only restraint upon getting to the Market is that I determined to go there by tricycle. Given the venture was beyond the usual boundaries of my neighbourhood jaunt – into the cavity of business across the river – I decided to wear my helmet. This in turn predicted the need to switch my spectacles from the large Tom Ford frames to the minimalist “granny” glasses (so there was no obstructive or annoying competition for space on my forehead by the specs and the helmet).
The moment I turned from the Doctor’s House at Clyde Street and then streamed into the fast moving traffic along Bridge Street towards the centre of town, I was pleased to have worn my helmet. Not that I was misconducting myself but because it just made me feel less vulnerable. There is a broad laneway for pedestrians (and the occasional tricycle) along the bridge. As soon as I turned into the Library parking area, everything became instantly tranquil.
At my age there are very few things I require. Whimsical allures such as handmade placemats and woven dinner napkins escape the necessity; and, bakery goods are right out! I relished the reviews of the artistic works; but – once again – I am far beyond the scope of indispensability. So I satisfied myself this morning to go up and down the market stalls, acknowledging the vendors and their products, stopping to chat, connecting with people whom I haven’t spoken to for years.
But I wasn’t long concluding that this is but one more event for which I have surpassed an interest or capacity. Apparently my scope of social activity is now reduced to a strengthening espresso at Equator Café. And naturally everything depends whether I remembered my hearing aids!