By Doris Schroeder
One of the best days of this year to me was the Saturday before the 4th of July. Hubby and I woke up at our usual Saturday time…5 a.m., and John loaded the van with all the produce he had picked on Friday and the zwiebach I had baked. As he took off for the Farmer’s Market, I looked outside and noticed it was raining, a rather welcome relief from the heat. I knew from previous Saturdays, that meant a good Saturday in business because more people come out when they can’t do anything else.
I stopped at McDonald’s on my way to get John’s breakfast sandwich and my small orange juice. It was still raining when I arrived at the Hutchinson Farmer’s Market pavilion on West Second and I had to drive around for a parking place. It was barely sprinkling as I hurried into the busy market place. The area was teaming with Kansans as I entered the pavilion and it was a pleasant sight to behold.
John was already selling some of his green onions. As I sat down, a young man handed me two bags of zwiebach to purchase and the morning was off to a good start.
All morning long, the people thronged the market. Later, I could hear the musicians tuning up to play some soft music to shop by, and I knew the day was starting well. It was wonderful to be able to do John’s favorite thing even though we were also having rain at the same time. It was fun to be meeting all these people from every class of life while enjoying the elements of a Kansas day. I could even do it while sitting in a chair. John, however, likes to stand at least part of the time, as he sprays his produce with a spray bottle and rearranges the table.
The vendors were from all walks of life…the lady across the aisle sold Rosie’s baked goods like she does near Yoder. She even makes some gluten free which came in handy when our daughter-in-law was here. My friend Maxine likes to make things from pot scrubbers (a popular item) to unique purses and everything in between. Of course there is “the jelly lady” who is a retired nurse and still loves to meet people. Everyone stops to visit Bill, the “Bee” man who absolutely knows something about everything and can comment on anything.
As the morning wore on, we noticed the relative of Roman Miller was back for the summer. He is gone for the rest of the year, teaching English in a college in Russia. It is interesting to hear about his life and the things that are going on in that part of the world.
I absolutely love it when people stop by to discuss something about our country, or the “olden” days, or the state of our country or why we think the way we do and of course, why we are glad we live in America. Often some of my dear writer friends stop by and we can talk until we are blue in the face about everything under the sun.
When we talk so long we get thirsty we can get a cup of water or coffee at the entrance and if we get hungry, there are some wonderful treats we can buy from the vendors that will absolutely melt in your mouth! Plus the kettle corn and barbeque sandwiches from some vendor trailers.
Young parents walk by either carrying their little one or pushing him or her in a stroller. The little one usually has his eyes wide open, trying to take in all the new things of life that surround him…which is plenty… the fans overhead, the drone of the people as they move around and talk, the soft music of the musicians, and all the noise of the human race in one place. You can see the perplexity in his face as he tries to make sense of it. I wish I could tell him that “You never will understand the human race, just enjoy it!”
Once again we marvel at God’s creation. How He has made all the different kinds of people in different colors and thinking but all with the opportunity to accept Him into their heart and follow Him as He leads. To each one He gives specific directions that are the same for everyone found in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
And that, my friends, is still the American way…at least in Kansas.
Doris welcomes your comments and can be reached at [email protected]
