It might be a bit early for a cartoon about raking leaves, but not if you have pecan trees. They’re the last trees to turn green in the spring and the first to shed their leaves at summer’s end. Plus, they’re very bad about dropping huge living limbs without warning. Normally these characteristics are ameliorated by a crop of delicious and useful pecans at least every other year, but around where I live it has been several years since a good crop of pecans, and this year will be no different. Plus, in a land that at one time was awash in an overflow of tomatoes from Independence Day thorough Labor day, cultivation of the tomato has become very problematic for home gardeners. Those lucky enough to have a crop by early July can almost count on the vines withering away by the end of the month. All I know is, things aren’t what they used to be. Happy Labor Day!
But it’s Labor Day!
By Jimmy Johnson
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131 responses to “But it’s Labor Day!”
The sad thing about farmer’s market produce and locally grown is that it needs to be in a trendy city area to have any hope of success. Farmers markets are very successful in the Austin area, where there are also Whole Foods and Sprouts. Consumers here have been trained to know that fresh, local, wholesome, and natural products take more effort and money to produce, so the produce commands higher prices. The same goes for supplying restaurants with locally-grown produce. Customers have to demand the product and be willing to pay more. Markets in rural areas frequently don’t pay enough to cover the costs. It would be better for Gene & Mary Lou to donate to the local food pantry/bank and take the tax deduction.
Rick… in keeping with the topic of farmers markets, look for local vendors that sell grass-fed beef. I just butchered two grass-fed calves that were nicely lean. One, a longhorn, had almost no fat. The meat looks like venison since it is so lean. The other, an Angus had some fat, but was still leaner than factory cattle. No antibiotics or added hormones, either. Also, on grass it is reported that the little fat beef cattle develop is healthier–with a higher concentration of “good” omega-3 fats.
Mark, thanks for the video. I really enjoyed it. I would love to do something like that. I still enjoy launching balloons. There’s a part of me that never grew up. The video reminded me that Einstein, who probably saved the world from nuclear destruction, was an immigrant. A little known fact-he had Aspergers! It’s been 14 short years since 9/11. 14 years from now I’ll be 80 if I make it. That astounds me. (Probably the first time that I’ve ever used that word.)
Two [I think] farmers’ mkts. do well here [though I shop mainly at Stone’s Throw North.] May help that it’s a college town, well isolated from towns of comparable size, and from ‘real’ cities [Duluth/Superior, Winnipeg, Gr. Forks, Fargo/Moorhead, Twin Cities.
For its size, it’s a cultural paradise, though short on ethnic cuisine. [However, first of 3 lutefisk dinners coming up soon.]
No surprise that Einstein was Asperger’s; they often excel at marketable occupations / professions.
Peace, emb
David in Austin:
I fully agree with all that you stated about beef, and I’m glad that you mentioned the Omega-3s. I was unaware of that – thanks.
I still eat beef on occasion, and I buy it from Bay Food Market here in town.
They butcher the cattle (and swine) themselves, and they buy all of the animals from local farms.
Just like the cattle you described, all of these are grass fed and free from steroids, antibiotics, and hormones.
The steaks have just enough fat to make them perfect for grilling.
Once in a while, I still think about becoming a vegetarian, but I don’t pursue it too far. I’ve been a carnivore for too long, I guess.
Best view i have ever seen !