Sunday, December 8, 2019

The Farmers Market

When I was younger I had no idea what a Farmers Market was. I'd never heard of one.

 I know what one is now.

First things first...farmers began these things, it was a way to get people to buy their goods. You don't see farmers at mine but you do see some of their handiwork. Mine has a cornucopia (good word) of things you didn't know you wanted.

But do.

Plus there are dogs everywhere on leashes so I take my Lola with me everytime we go. I say 'we' because most of the time it's me and Mrs. McEwen and a twin and sometimes it's just me and both of them.
All the dogs are friendly and good which makes for a wonderful petting, wagging, scene. It's funny, I've never heard a growl or a bark or a dog tussle the entire time I've gone.

Now, what do they have there? Yummy granola for my wife. Delicious quiches for my mother-in-law. Plants for my wife- she who has a sign at home that says gardeners know the best dirt. Acai Bowls for me. Freshly made pasta and fresh shrimp for everyone.

Fresh lemonade, vegetables to make your mouth water,  booths full of home made crafts plus all kinds of delights.

They even have a knife sharpening guy. And if you don't think he's good get this. I sharpened a few knives and since most of ours are dull I was a bit careless with one when I got home and...I cut myself. Caveat emptor. Buyer beware.

That's a tough way to learn a lesson but consider that lesson learned.

It's a great place to people watch. I learned how to do that in Manhattan where I could do it all day. Today I saw a gray haired lady with shoes that you normally see in Vogue. When I went to Florence, or as Italy calls it Firenze, I saw older, stylish women with decorative designs on the ankles of their stockings.
A stylish woman from Florence

I was not used to seeing that. In America then the average older woman dressed like, uh, a grandmother.

No more.

There are also moms and dads with strollers pushing around their young 'uns and just cool (as Sly and the Family Stone sang) everyday people.

It's just a wonderful way to start your day.

And you can quote me on that.


#MarkMcEwen
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Thursday, December 5, 2019

Facebook

 Social media was confusing to me and meant nothing to me. At first.

Not anymore.

My brother, The Kirkster, got me into it. It kinda went like this...he asked me was I on Facebook. I told him I didn't have time for that nonsense-those were my exact words. And he said, "You should be. If you have something you want people to know about it's a great way to spread the word."

And he was right but I learned something that I'll bet you already knew.

Facebook allows you to reconnect with people who you've lost touch with long ago. High school classmates, people you knew and worked with, elementary school class mates, folks you forgot you knew. You guys knew this. Me? I didn't.

What follows are names that mean nothing to you but the world to me.

We'll start with Rick Waldecker. That's him far right.

He and I were DJs in Detroit together. I did the 10-2 shift and he did 2-6. Rick was one of my best friends there and when I moved to Chicago we drifted apart. You know where this is going. Years later in a galaxy far, far, away; Facebook brought us back together again.

And I'm glad it did.

Part of getting older is seeing how people age. Some don't do it that well, others age like fine wine. That would be Rick.

Again names that you don't know but are sweet to me...Tom Couch and Jimmy Buff, I worked with both of them at WNEW-FM in New York. Rhett Kirby who was my guy as a kid in Berlin, Germany. Gary Niels and Bill Wight both from my days at the University of Maryland.

How about the ladies?
Kim and her daughter Bea

I worked with Kim Miller at CBS and her daughter Bea is a bonafide pop star-check her out. Annmarie Collins who I also worked with at CBS plus we share a love of Bruce Springsteen. Vickie Colter who I've known forever and is the sister of my best friend but it's so schweet to be connected on Facebook.

I could go on and on.

I remember when I went to my 10 year high school reunion. You had to add weight to some people, take weight off of others and hair for guys was an option. Everybody looked different. 

Same for Facebook.

Pictures of us now? We don't look like we did when we were younger. But that's okay. Being able to share stories and memories from long ago is what it's all about. Plus many of us are parents and we swap stories about our kids. Going through drivers licenses with our precious ones takes nerves of steel and these guys know of what I speak.

Fine wine my friends.

And to think it all started with my brother.

Thank you Kirk.


#MarkMcEwen
Subscribe to my blog: Mark McEwen's World
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And also visit my website: www.markmcewen.com