Idle Summer Thoughts

Like most of the rest of Michigan, we have slipped into the fullness of summer here in Van Buren County. The corn is as high as, well, maybe not the elephant's eye, but certainly his elbow. Young rabbits are everywhere, making me think of renaming the months according to their most noteworthy features. Julius Caesar has been gone for a long time, but hundreds of bunnies are risking their young lives on the roads now. I would rename July Leveret. Yes, I know the word leveret refers to a European hare in its first year, but leveret is such a great word, isn't it? It deserves to come out and play more often. Or I could call it Nuthatch Moon, for the broods of noisy nuthatch fledglings chasing their parents through the trees in our yard as I am writing this. Or Blueberry Moon. Goodness knows, blueberries are a striking feature of July. Or maybe I won't name the month at all. Maybe I will just let it be what it will, let it define itself by its own events, playing its part as the wheel of the seasons turns.

Yummy!

Farmer's Market Livens Up Lawrence

Welcome to the Lawrence Farmer's Market

The village of Lawrence, (exit 52 off I94), is usually pretty sleepy - the sort of town that you can drive through on Red Arrow Highway without even realizing it. But on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 1 pm, it wakes up and becomes a lively place. The cause is the Lawrence Farmer's Market, and today was the first market of the season. When I visited around noon, there was still quite a bit of foot traffic, and lots of visiting going on. Several of the local organizations had fund raising booths and there were a variety of crafts, baked goods, and honey and soap products available. Produce is still on the light side, but there were a few berries, flowers and herbs available. A local woodworker operating under the name Wood Be Beautiful had a nice selection of his wares on display.

Intriguing handmade wooden boxes

This hickory bench was priced at $70

This local landmark, the Circus House, is across the street from the farmer's market

  Local lore states this house was a wintering residence for a circus family, and that, even though it has changed hands a few times, each owner is asked to commit to maintaining its bright color scheme.

I never know what I will find at the Lawrence Farmer's Market, but, as the produce starts to come in, I know it will be on my weekly list of shopping stops. There may be  live music, free range meats, or a selection of artisan cheeses. Whatever is available, I recommend checking it out if you are in the area. 


All photos by Dixie Burkhart
I am not affiliated in any way with the Lawrence Farmer's Market or any of its vendors.