Farmers' Markets
Newsletter #120
5 Reasons to Love Them
In my bio on social media I mention that I love farmers’ markets, discovery, and restoring my soul with pastries at the beach. This past week I visited two different farmers’ markets, since this is the time when more mid-week evening markets pop up for the summer months. Here are five reasons I love farmers’ markets:
FOOD: Pretty much anything that’s food-centric is of interest to me. With the variety and array of fresh, seasonal produce, we get the best of the best in quality and flavor. When my children were young, they gobbled blueberry samples, sipped gooey honey sticks, crunched on crisp snap peas, and learned to wait until May to buy the sweetest strawberries from Rodriguez Farms.
FARMERS: Recognizing the farm to table connection and being able to support local farmers whose dedication and hard work provide us with nutrients and nourishment is a wonderful way of supporting their vital role in our lives.
CREATIVITY: When I shop at the farmers’ market I more often than not have no plan of what I want to cook, but instead get to see which items speak to me and then allow those purchases to dictate our meals. This is the complete opposite of when I make a weekly meal plan and grocery shop based on that plan. It’s a type of uncertainty that leads to creativity that I enjoy.
SIGHTS: I find the colorful array of neatly arranged fruits and vegetables so visually satisfying. Being around these displays is like visiting an art museum, appreciating what you see, and admiring the view.
COMMUNITY: Farmers’ markets attract people from nearby neighborhoods and the friendly, easy-going vibe of choosing fruits and vegetables, interacting with vendors, and conversing with others fulfills that need of connection and community.
Book Report: Mr. Chow’s Night Market
Written by Emily Sun Li
Illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng
In this book we’re introduced to a grocery owner, Mr. Chow, who is not a morning person. This causes his customers, grandchildren, and himself to be unhappy with how he runs his business. After a disastrous accident, he realizes something needs to change. He asks his neighbors for advice and comes up with a new idea that sparks an impressive gathering every evening as a night market. The author Emily fills each page with clever descriptions and mouth-watering similes like “the sun is an egg dripping hot yolk on Mr. Chow’s face” and “warm honey air.” From start to finish, the artist Yu Ting delights us with her whimsical and detailed art where everything from bendy buildings, theatre signs, watchful windows, and friendly fruit are personified with expressive faces. I love this charming story of a man trying his best and discovering how to make his love of sleeping in work for the entire community.
Themes: creativity, problem solving, community
Discussion Ideas:
What did Mr. Chow learn when trying to solve his problem?
Why is it important to try something new in your own life?
Mentor Text For:
similes
metaphors
onomatopoeia
dialogue
story elements & plot
Buy this book for delightful entertainment!
Disclosure: Thanks for your support when purchasing any books from my affiliate page on Bookshop.org.
Weekly Progress Report
This is a section for “stuff I did” that relates to my writing career. I believe in celebrating all wins, big and small alike.
critiqued three stories
wrote my Senators and Representative at a postcard party with Authors Against Book Bans
attended a Regional Team meeting
updated a market analysis
sent a manuscript to my agent
continued to promote picture books in my Instagram stories for AANHPI Heritage Month
revised a manuscript by cutting 140 words
Sending you courage and grace in all you choose to do,
Susan