Summer Delights
Last week my friend Susanna and I had a lovely phone call where we caught up on all manner of things. How her flower farm was doing amidst the drought most of Virginia is experiencing; how distribution of our summer issue was going; what we’re both working on; vacations; family. The usual friend catch-up. Then, our conversation flowed into poetry. We’re both huge fans of Ross Gay — a gardener, poet, and noticer of joys both large and small. She had just listened to an episode of the podcast On Being where Ross Gay and Krista Tippett discussed delight.
As she summarized the episode (do give it a listen) it inspired a conversation on how we both wish to focus more on delight, on genuine moments of self expression, no matter if they are silly or fleeting. Susanna and I made a pledge to exercise our delight muscles. Like any muscle, you need to put it to use to grow stronger, to become more defined and developed. To strengthen my delight muscle means to take stock of the small delights that fill my day. To notice and make space for them, to share my delight.
Many of my delightful moments center around food. In preparing and sharing it. In sharing the stories of those who grow our food. Last week I cataloged my small delights and they included, experimenting with a leek and turmeric sourdough recipe using locally grown and milled flour, visiting the farmers market and catching up with the market manager (my dog adores her), going kayaking, and having a picnic.
How does delight take form throughout your day? Is it the act of sharing a meal with loved ones, or admiring a neighbors’ garden? Wherever you find your delight, I hope this week it involves fresh summer fruit.
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Thanks for reading, happy eating, and enjoy your weekend,
Lisa - Publisher & Editor
EVENTS
Have an event you’d like us to share? Email: info@edibleblueridge.com
6.29 Beer & Wine Festival - Roanoke
7.03 Freedom Food Festival - Lexington
7.05 Fireworks on the Riverfront- Lynchburg
7.06 National Coop Day!
7.19 Veritas Supper Series: Adam Bean - Afton
7.24 Barboursville Tomato Dinner - Charlottesville
The Harrisonburg Sunset Market Returns!
The Harrisonburg Farmers Market’s Sunset Market is back for a second year. Visit the Turner Pavilion every third Thursday from 5 to 8pm June through September to enjoy live music, local artisans and farmers, food trucks and vendors, and hands-on activities with community organizations.
The Sunset Market is a part of a growing number of family friendly evening activities downtown. The Turner Pavilion continues to grow as a community gathering place with the launch of the Levitt Amp concert series last year and the offerings of the Harrisonburg Farmers Market each Tuesday and Saturday all year round.
Throughout history, Markets have been the heart of communities, bringing growers and makers in direct contact with shoppers, fostering relationships and strengthening the local economy. The Sunset Market offers educational and recreational activities alongside grocery options.
What makes the Sunset Market different from the Tuesday or Saturday Market? Expect more workshops and hands-on activities. This is an event to bring friends and family to, enjoy dinner, shop for local food and goods, learn and play.
Every Sunset Market will feature:
Live music
Drum circle
Balloon animals
Face painting
Activities with community organizations
Food trucks and vendors
Grocery and artisan shopping
Yoga and meditation
Chef demos
Save these Sunset Market dates:
June 20
July 18
August 22
September 19
Thanks to Virginia Fresh Match, customers can pay with SNAP/EBT and double their benefits up to $30 for free fruits and vegetables.
Information about the specific community events at each Sunset Market will be available at harrisonburgfarmersmarket.com, through the Harrisonburg Farmers' Market email newsletter and on Harrisonburg Farmers' Market's Facebook and Instagram pages.
MORE TO CHEW ON
Why do we love 🌭hotdogs in the U.S.?- CNN reports
The history of Oysters in Virginia🦪 - Virginia Museum of History & Culture
🚜🚜🚜Revitalizing a culture of food sovereignty - Modern Farmer
POEM OF THE WEEK
Watermelons
By Charles Simic
Green Buddhas
On the fruit stand.
We eat the smile
And spit out the teeth.
From Return to a Place Lit By a Glass of Milk, by Charles Simic. Published by George Braziller. Copyright © 1974. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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I am such a Ross Gay fan! Like, I wrote him a letter. On paper. With handwriting. I think I was 11 the last time I wrote a letter to someone I don't actually know. My wife and I read Book of Delights aloud to each other. Twice. In a row.
Today's delights began, again with my beloved, in foraging blackberries and wineberries along the roads of our neighborhood. Delight!