Lakes Park Farmers Market. Ft. Myers, Fla
1/16/19

Every year we try to find the southwest Florida’s equivalent of a Jersey tomato, but, although these look great, they fall down in the taste and texture department.  The flavor is flat, and the texture is mealy.   So, we will have to wait for those Jersey beefsteaks to make their debut next August.

Lakes Park market. 1/16/19. Madagascar Hat Company. Photos by Paul Goldfinger ©

Eileen has two of these colorful hats from Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Mozambique (south Africa.)   Today we were at that shop, and here is the true conversation:

Me: (being polite, but not actually wanting another $50 hat.)   “Do you want another hat?”

Eileen:  “That would be 3.  I only have one head.”

Me:  “OK.  There is some truth in what you say.”

E:  “Let’s go the mushroom lady.”  She leads me there.  Around here the merchants are specialists.

E: “They want $5.00 for a few small portobellos; Publix charges $3.69 for a bigger box. And let’s skip the bananas. I’ll get them at Publix  also.”

Me:  I thought farmers markets are supposed to be cheaper than super markets.  (true disclosure:  Publix is a weak second to Wegmans. We miss the W man.)

E:  “Would you please carry this:”  She hands me a Wegman’s bag which we brought from Jersey.  It is colorful, the best bag in town.    It’s  filled with produce and it is pretty heavy. She bought three baby bok choys which I suggested, but now I’m not sure why.

Me:  “Here’s fresh dill.  We can have chicken soup.”

E:  “OK”

Me:  (whining) “How can I take pictures carrying this?”

E:  I’ve had enough. Let’s go.

RODNEY CROWELL:     From his album Boots, Buckles, and Spurs