DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN

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Slow, Stop

Happy Holidays

Why We Are Here

One More Reason To Celebrate

Best Friends

Refuge

Uninhibited Singers

A Splendid Opportunity

The Symptoms of Spring

Weeding Lesson

Worth and Value

Enjoyable Pursuits

Spring Is Here

Won't It Be Fun?

Choosing to Be Amused

Common Threads

Shadow Angel

MORE COLUMNS...

THE PLACE TO BE

Do you go to the Saturday morning farmers' market on a regular basis? The array of items found there is astounding. There are fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, meats, cheeses, and eggs. You can also purchase lemonade, coffee, wine, jams, sauces, baked goods, grilled foods, and more. There are musicians to entertain you, and master gardeners to answer your questions. But there is something else that makes the Saturday morning farmers' market live up to its motto: "The Place to Be Saturday Mornings." Have you discovered it?

Sometimes it's highly visible. Other times it's inconspicuous. You might find it in one of the vendor's stalls, or at one of the folding tables in the main aisle. Often it can be found where the traffic flow is blocked, or under the gazebo with the cobblestones and benches. Like any "hot item" at the farmers' market, the duration of its appearance can last for a few seconds or for hours at a time. You can always find it, regardless of the season. Yet some people never take notice or even realize what they are missing.

As nourishing as any produce or food found for sale, this phenomenal feature of the farmer's market is absolutely free. No one can live well without it. Most of us yearn for more. It does require time and effort to cultivate, but the undertaking is certainly worthwhile for both the producer and the consumer.

Every single Saturday the farmers' market is held -- whether in the Courthouse parking lot in summer or the Grange Hall in winter -- friends meet friends (or make new ones) and enjoy conversation and camaraderie. It may sound silly, but the Saturday morning farmers' market gives us a precious gift. Loitering and lollygagging are encouraged. Conversation is uninterrupted unless someone else joins in. People connect face to face, human to human, twinkling eyes and smiles greeting twinkling eyes and smiles. I look forward to meeting you there, soon.

• How often do you truly connect with others?
  
  
• When was the last time you just chatted face to face?
  
  
• Do you get enough informal human interaction?
  
  
• Where can you make room for more?

© 2007 David Bentley

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David Bentley, M.Ed., is an avid observer of people, places and events. He uses his storytelling and questioning skills to help himself and others think outside the box in an ever-changing world.

Comments about his column can be sent to davidbentley@sanjuanislander.com.

SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008

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