Our local libraries are cornerstones of our communities, offering services we may take for granted until they are not available, such as over the last few months. Even during the closing of businesses and services, librarians sought out ways to make some services available, including digital downloads and internet access from library parking lots. Some libraries provided curbside service for a time, or offered “storytime” book readings for young children over the internet or social network. The re-opening of libraries makes me grateful, although for now I will try to use them less for browsing, which I love doing, and try to go to pick up what I need as efficiently as possible.
There have been many stories nationally of people learning new activities (or learning how to do familiar activities in new ways) during several months of staying mostly at home. Reading poetry may have been one discovered activity, including reading poetry with or to children. Poems, and many poems written for children, are especially fun for both the child and adult. The rhythm and rhyme draw one in, and the vividness of the vocabulary offers opportunity for wonder and further conversation and pondering. Poetry will often send a child into fits of giggles, the language is so ludicrous. Some poets, like Shel Silverstein, invite children to act in ways that scandalize adults….what a thrill!
Constance Levy writes poems of nature, and in “I’m going to Pet a Worm Today,” writes of the child who dares to take on the petting because his or her friend Emily always has stories of having done something daring; “This time/I am/Going to say,/”Why Emily, you should have seen me/Pet a worm today!”/And I’ll tell her he shrank and he stretched like elastic,/And I got a chill/and it felt fantastic.”
Read a poem. Write a poem. Do it together, adult and child, child and child, adult and parent. No poetry in your home? Call or visit your library and ask for suggestions! Tell the librarian a bit about yourself or what you like – nature, history, activism, politics, inspirational, a certain part of the country or world. Still unsure? Take a stack home and try out a few at a time. Enjoy.
The Fayette County Farmers Market is open Saturday morning from 8:30 to noon and is located in the municipal parking lot on the corner of South Main and East East streets in Washington C.H. SNAP EBT food benefit cards and credit/debit cards are accepted. Those using the SNAP EBT card for food purchases receive matching dollar “Produce Perks” tokens ($1 for $1) good only for fruits, vegetables, and food producing plants. So,”buy one, get one” for up to $20 EVERY market day. Five dollar coupons will be available again for FAYETTE COUNTY Farm Bureau members at each Saturday market; these can be spent at both the Wednesday (which started this week) and Saturday markets.
The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up this Saturday. Other vendors may participate as well. Vendors who provide their phone number may be contacted for advance orders.
Your Other Mother’s Kitchen (Don & Sara Creamer—740-572-0134): Artisan bread, muffins, blueberry crisp.
Bridge View Garden (Hunter & Lorelle Rohrer, 740-505-5125): Fresh produce (tomatoes, green onions, mixed greens, raspberries). Flowers and perennial plants.
B.Y.E Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): Season vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. Cinnamon rolls, pies, sweet breads, cookies, brownies. Call Elaine @740-606-6333 or send email to [email protected] to pre-order or for special items.
Cozy Baby Blessings (Nancy Cutter): Face masks for adults and children, crocheted baby blankets, hats and wash cloths, flannel burp cloths and teething toys, crochet pot scrubbers and dish cloths, coasters and wax melts (over 60 scents available).
Engedi (Alana Walters, Janet Bick, Beth Day): Assorted home baked goods including cinnamon rolls, yeast bread and rolls, cookies, fruit pies and noodles.
Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Shrubs and trees for spring planting (Red Osier Dogwood, Staghorn Sumac, Coralberry, Ninebark, Douglas Fir). Vegetable and flowering plants: tomato, basil, flowering, herbal and decorative perennials (bee balm/monarda, echinacea – purple and yellow, lemon balm citronella, garlic chives, chives, oregano, hyssop, clary sage, “stormy seas” coral bells,). Homemade sourdough crackers (“everything,” garlic/turmeric, rosemary). Beeswax hand and cuticle creams, lib balms, and natural insect repellents.
Kelsie’s K-9 Creations (Jennifer Anderson): featuring healthy, limited ingredient cookies and treats for your 4 legged friends.
King Farms (Jeff and Sandi King): Green onions, lettuce and spinach. Iced sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls and breads.
Persinger Produce and Cottage Food (Julie Mosny & David Persinger): The Pie Lady –assorted fruit pies, Iced sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies, cinnamon rolls, cinni mini’s. Also assorted varieties of potted daylilies available for purchase and local honey. The Jam Man will have assorted jams and jellies including new batches of seedless blackberry jam and blueberry jam.
