Showing posts with label farmers market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label farmers market. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Summertime, and the Living is... Easy?!? by Delsora Lowe

I live in Maine, near the coast. Just far enough inland to NOT smell the saltiness in the air or feel the sea breezes. For that, I have to drive twenty to thirty minutes, down spits of land that thrust into the ocean, almost like islands, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic. Lovely views…and gives me the feeling of being on vacation, even if it is just for a few hours. Plus, a yummy candy shop on the way (Island Candy Company – with handmade chocolates — and they SHIP!)

Island, Atlantic Ocean, and Beach Plums

Inlet Leading to the Atlantic and Filled with Anchored Boats

Although I do live blocks from a major river that flows from our western mountains into the Atlantic. As the river winds between my town and the town on the opposite bank, we do get some strange weather patterns. Just upriver it can be thundering at this time of year or piling up the snow in the winter. And by the time it reaches us, the weather has shifted. It happens all the time, that twenty miles inland they can have a blizzard, and we might get a few flakes. Looking at a map, it is as if this town sits at the widest part of a funnel. And the weather changes on either side of our funnel.

Our weather has changed a ton in the almost 35 years I have lived here. The winters are milder. And the summers are hotter. Since I moved here from a hot and heavily humid area so many years ago, I’m not so sure I appreciate the increasing heat. However, it is nice to have a cookout in July in Maine where I’m not still wearing knee socks and a sweater, as I did when I first moved here.

So now, the living is definitely easier during the summers in Maine.

As the song "Summertime" circles my head, I think of lazy rivers and sunny days, where one wipes one’s forehead constantly, to dispel the effects of that new version of summer heat in my neck of the woods. I think of lunches on the deck at a restaurant situated in the renovated brick factory that overlooks the rushing water that has spilled over the falls within sight of the deck. The water that now rushes to move the river toward its destination of the Atlantic. That lazy river above the falls, turns into a churning frothy rush of water. Beside the falls is a fish ladder, built to allow the alewives to “climb” the waterfall and travel up the river to spawn.

When I first moved to this town, the brick buildings were still in use as factories. On those still, hot days with no breeze, or a day with the wind blowing toward town, the stench of factory smoke was overwhelming—like a zillion eggs rotting on a sunny day. They now hold numerous condos and businesses, each with beautiful views down the river, where in the winter, when the river freezes over, sit the little wooden houses sheltering ice fisherpeople.

Now, as we move into summer and the living seems easier, we can enjoy so many things that were not here in this small town when I first moved in or have been greatly improved.

Farmer's Market and Town's Famous Tall Pines

We have a downtown green space with a gazebo that is large enough to hold a small orchestra. In the summer there are Wednesday concerts, when folks bring their lawn chairs and a picnic. We have the farmers market set up every Tuesday and Friday mornings on that green and in the winter if the weather permits, they flood that area with water for ice-skating. The town hosts first Fridays, where businesses stay open late and offer specials. We have lovely, small-town parades on certain holidays such as Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

My town is building more housing and retail, that now stretches farther away from downtown. We have welcomed refugees. We have a private 4-year college, as well as a satellite campus for the state’s university system, which means our population increases at certain times of the year. 

Also on the campus is the infamous Maine State Music Theater, where actors clamor to be chosen to work the summer theater plays. I recently learned that the nine singer-dancers, aged eighteen to early twenties, were chosen from casting calls that started out with a pool of over 3,500. Coming to Maine for the summer to work with seasoned actors, many from Broadway, is a dream job. You have to be very special if you are one of the nine chosen.

We have a population of almost 22,000, up at least 3 to 4K from when I first moved here.

So, to say … summertime and the living is easy … might be a slight exaggeration as we all carry on with daily life as usual. But the special moments of gathering as a town or taking advantage of the wonderful summer offerings, certainly do feel as though the living is easy.

Lobster Boat at Dawn

Oh…except for the increased traffic and the crowded grocery store. But hey, that’s what taking a breather is all about. Driving to the coast to watch the ocean flow around the islands dotted along the shore or waking very early to hear the chug of the lobster boats and observe the lobsterpeople haul in their catch and reset their traps. Or listening to the seagulls squawk at the first signs of sunrise, awakening those who have summer rentals and might want to sleep beyond early dawn. Or watching the gulls swoop in and pluck out a fish. Those same seagulls have a nasty tendency to interrupt a picnic table dinner—hold on to your food, folks!

Seagulls Scavenging for Food After We Tossed Lobster Shells into the Water

But yeah, the living is much easier and more fun in the summertime.

No shoveling!

Does summertime seem to be easier?
Or harder? And why?


Amazon: (also in print)

Books2Read

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker) were released in late fall 2022. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, in 2024.

Social Media Links:
Author website
:
www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page:
https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page:
https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page:
https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

IMAGES: 
Lazy River: clipground.com/pics/get / clipart of a river 10 free Cliparts | Download images on Clipground 2024  
Conga Line: https://www.clipartkey.com/view/xhRoJi_conga-line-conga-line-clip-art/    
Lobster Boat, Seagulls, Farmers Market, Ocean and Landscape Views: photos taken by the blog author


Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Bragging: Or At Least Talking Myself Up...A Bit - - - - by Delsora Lowe

This month’s theme is bragging, ah, er, I mean, telling all of you the three things that I think are my strengths or things I do well.

That’s a hard one. Because, even though there are certain things I love to do, I never feel as though I am great at any of them. But I have to admit, maybe I am good at some of them. And at the same time, always trying to improve.

The obvious is I am good, getting better, but not a star, at writing. I have practiced a lot since I was a kid. My freshman year at a new high school, my teacher submitted a story I had written from a child’s point-of-view, about his little red wagon. It ended up in the school’s quarterly literary magazine. I wanted to run and hide, because I thought people would think I had a childish mind. I survived the ordeal—which wasn’t the ordeal my imagination thought it would be.

My three grandsons, who are all in high school now!

My first-year college English professor “kicked me out” of the required grammar class, because I already knew “that stuff.” As an aside, for the few weeks I was in his class, he also drilled in the use of the Oxford comma. When I went back to finish my degree fifteen years later after marriage and kids, my professors in various disciplines, asked me where I learned to write. So, I offer many thanks to my high school English classes, that at the time were pure torture. However, I did learn to write.

Here are two other areas that I think I am able to achieve in.

First: Cooking—and by that, I mean, I am able to make anything out of nothing. To me food is not only nourishment, but inspiration. I love recipes, but I never follow them. Oh, I try. But then I say to myself…hmmm, I bet if I add this or that, this recipe will be better. Or I look in the fridge and groan, because I haven’t been to the grocery store lately, and I make up a recipe out of anything that is still useable in the fridge. Or I scan the cupboards. I mix and match and add a tidbit of this and a spoonful of that, and a shake of something else.


I have my maternal grandmother and both my parents to thank for showing me how it's done in the kitchen. Use up leftovers in inventive ways. Never let anything go to waste. And always have enough wine - whoops - channeling my dad. Here's to you, Dad, as I hold up my stemmed glass toward the heavens.

I do the same thing in the grocery store since my list says bread, meat, fish, veggies, salad stuff, soup, etc. I have to feel “in the mood.” Today the butternut squash calls to me. Next time it might be broccoli or turnip or beets or avocado. And then as I wander the isles, or survey the meat and fish displays, or check out cheeses I have never tried, I devise my menus for the next few days. Okay, so I may be one of the few who love to grocery shop, and I especially love to wander the farmers market, where each week the offerings are different, depending on harvest times. My brain snaps into creative cooking mode.

Living in Maine – lobster, a favorite ingredient in a meal

The second other thing I am good at is TALKING. I can hear the groan from the peanut gallery of those who know me well. Yup—she talks ALL THE TIME. I love to talk with friends. But I also chat up the store clerk or cashier, anyone in line with me, or anyone searching for the same item in a store. But that love of chat came in handy in my chosen, and not-so-chosen, careers and jobs in hospitality, retail, event planning, government, non-profits, etc. In those jobs it’s a requirement to speak to strangers.

And out of that type of work, I also became good at being a connector of people.

            One example is that during 9/11, I worked in a school in Washington, D.C. It was also my alma mater. We had alumni all over the country, as well as living overseas. I received many calls from people worried about their former classmates in D.C. and N.Y.C. I also heard from many in those affected areas reporting in. I became a conduit between friends.

Part of my job was organizing gatherings for alumni all over the country. That included finding venues and caterers, plus programming for each event. That might include bringing along a beloved professor, or finding an alum in the area who had an interesting career they could speak about, or who had authored a book. I also used to connect alumni from different generations who had things in common—like similar jobs, lived in the same area, or had the same interests. Or those alumni who were looking for jobs and those who might be mentors in that search.

Working in non-profits and alumni relations, connecting like-minded people to resources, job opportunities, or other people who like the same things or are in similar careers, becomes a given. And now, with a network of writers all over the country, it is fun to connect other writers to resources, or authors who write in similar genres, or have areas of expertise needed by that author. And…luckily, they do the same for me. Writing romance is one of my joys in life. And with that goes staying in touch with my good friends, and connecting with authors who may have advice to help me on my journey.

It’s all about the networking, no matter whether it is a job search, connecting with people who have similar interests, jobs, or hobbies, or a simple helpful gesture guiding a lost shopper in the direction of the aisle filled with ice cream. So put on that bright smile and connect. You might be surprised at how much fun it is, even when you know you may never cross paths with that person again.



What is something you think you do well? 
And why do you believe you do this item well?

 


Check out Starlight Grille

Welcome to Serenity Harbor, Maine, a small coastal town where the Starlight Grille is a favorite meeting place. This sweet, with a touch of heat, 3-book collection includes a new bonus short story and a Starlight Grille recipe.

 Amazon(also in print)

Booksto Read

 

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town and contemporary western sweet and spicy romances, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of New England.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine (most recently, an Easter romance in the April 1, 2024 edition.) The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella with Book 2 on the way. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker – the youngest brother of the Mineral Spring’s ranching family) were the most recent releases. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, coming soon.

 Social Media Links:

Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page:
https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page:
https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page:
https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
Smile:
Smile Clipart Images | Free Download | PNG Transparent Background - Pngtree

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Shopping: A Blast or Dreaded? … by Delsora Lowe

I’ll start off by saying, in general, I do not enjoy shopping. As a teen, I loved wondering stores with my friends to dream about new outfits. I had a clothing allowance, so I had to be frugal. That meant sewing many of my outfits. But truthfully, I can’t remember a most hated experience while shopping. Unless you want to count the day I was pickpocketed, as a teen, while shopping for fabric to make an outfit. I still had fun, since I loved envisioning new outfits and matching a pattern to new fabrics. And, I didn’t realize someone had stolen from me until I got home. As an adult, I avoid at all costs shopping just for fun. And now when I shop, lesson learned: I clutch my purse tight in front of me.

Having said that, I do love shopping for anything to do with food. This is where I differ from most people I know, who HATE grocery shopping. Maybe loving to shop for food is because I used to work food service, where besides hostessing and waitressing, I also cooked in restaurants, in a fraternity, and as a caterer. Shopping for food means that I am bringing to life my creative recipe ideas.

Some of my favorite scenes in a Hallmark-type movie are watching a couple wander and meet at a farmer’s market. Or bumping into each other in the produce aisle reaching for the same, small cabbage that will feed one instead of a huge family. Or their hands touching over the last bunch of asparagus. But I digress, as my imagination of romantic food-related encounters crowd my mind.

My local Farmer's Market on a grassy mall in the middle of downtown

As I was saying, going to the grocery store is an adventure. My list consists of meat, seafood, veggies, bread, fruit, etc. And by that, I mean I literally write those words on my list. Because I never know what seasonal vegetable may inspire a recipe idea. Or which items at the seafood or meat counter may catch my eye and inspire dinner for that night, or lunch for tomorrow.

Love the variety of vegetables, jams, bread, meats, seafood at my local farmers market.

For that very reason, I also love going to the farmer’s market. I usually go on the early side and spend time gazing at the colorful displays of ripe red tomatoes, or dark leafy bunches of kale. I conjure up a recipe using green tomatoes, besides the usual fried green (which are delicious.) I perfuse the variety of lettuce or potato or colorful vegetables, some I have never tried before. I usually ask the farmer ideas on use, and then research the vegetable for more ideas, once I arrive home.

I feel about farmer’s markets as others feel about yard sales—discovering a prize to add to my cooking repertoire. Also, people tend to talk to each other at a food market, versus in other shopping arenas.

“The melons are so juicy this time of year.”

“Don’t those scallops look delicious, and on sale too!”

“How do you usually cook that cut of meat?” Or “I love that cut of meat. I have a great recipe for…”

“Have you tried this new flavor of the goat’s milk yogurt? It’s my new favorite.”


I love going to the farmer’s market in the fall, when the crowds of tourists have headed home, and the newly arrived students who walk from the college blocks away are discovering the magic of a farmer’s market. Bunches of fall flowers are for sale. Jellies and jams from the summer bounty of berries and fruits appear. This time of year, just as early spring does, affords me the opportunity to chat with the farmers without holding up the line. Ask questions about their product. Learn tidbits about farming. And enjoy the crisp fall air—my favorite season of the year.

Do you love or hate shopping for food? And why? There are no wrong answers. And I won’t judge if you hate the kind of shopping I love!


Check out a Fall Wedding: The Love Left Behind



Amazon

Books2Read


~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker) were released in late fall 2022. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, in 2024.

 

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photos and Clip Art:

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Freedom of Mind ... by Delsora Lowe

Anything artistic takes a creative mind—obviously. But, creativity-inspired work takes so much more. It takes years of studying and honing a skill, whether it is writing, painting, weaving, pottery, cooking, or…

Sauteeing farmers' market swiss chard

Having said that, artistry also takes concentration. And to concentrate, the mind must be free to explore.

These last few years have been daunting, in that the problems of the world seem to overtake the creative part of the brain and shut it down. At least it has for me. Freeing my mind to create has been tough.

In order to attain freedom of mind, I’ve had to shut off the things that cause me anxiety. And those stressors can vary from day-to-day. Whether it is the news or dealing with family issues or catching up on the never-ending barrage of email or keeping up with social media, even if it is fun—all those things can put one in overload mode.

Add in your creativity priorities and deadlines, and the stress can become overwhelming. Finding other creative outlets that don’t have timelines or expectations, is a good way to jumpstart the creative parts that have shutdown. For me, it was the simple idea of grabbing a few sheets of computer paper and my ten different-colored sharpies and scribbling out a drawing of flowers in a vase. I am not an artist, even though everyone else in my family is. But I had fun creating what I call Kindergarten / Picasso-Inspired-Abstract. And even though it was the only creative thing I could think to do in my marathon, TV-induced haze of procrastination, IT WORKED!

Find something to distract you that will jump-start your creative mind. Cooking, which for me starts with a random set of ingredients to create a new recipe, has always been a relaxing and creative endeavor. But push yourself out of your comfort zone, whether it is buying an adult coloring book and a set of bright-colored pencils, picking up knitting needles after thirty years of not knitting, pot gardening on your deck, trying a ZOOM belly-dancing class (yes, I did that and what fun!,) trying something new and creative is a great way to free up, and jump start those stagnant brain cells.



So, my advice, as all of us try to get back into a more “normal” life pattern, whether it is resurrecting our creative mode, or jumping back into in-person work or meetings or social events, is to pinpoint potential stressors, and limit yourself. And not only do this for the things we must check off our lists. Do so as you ease back into the joys of life and discover a new, fun distraction.

And most of all, define your own freedom. I’m usually an outgoing, social being, but this last year of isolation has diminished that part of me. So, I’m easing back into interacting in-person, in order to save my brain from the overload shock of dealing with real people.

Having said that, there is nothing more that energizes me then running into a friend in the grocery store parking lot and just getting to yack, yack, yack for a few minutes. Or talking to a farmer at the farmers market about their wonderful offerings and getting ideas for recipes. Or hollering “over the fence” to a neighbor to find out how their chickens are doing or their garden grows or their kids or dog is faring.

Enjoy your new creative outlets. Have fun setting your new boundaries. Recognize your limitations that may have changed. And take back your freedom in whatever way works for you.

What tricks do you use to free up your brain?

The Love Left Behind

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/

Books2Read   books2read.com/u/mglVqK

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Her new novella, The Love Left Behind, will release in late fall, 2020.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page:
https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page:
https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page:
https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
Exploding Brain -
free clip art brain exploding - Google Search
Belly Dance- Free Belly Dance Silhouette, Download Free Belly Dance Silhouette png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Crowd:
free clip art crowds of people - Google Search

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Why I Love Fall …and the Change of Season ... by Delsora Lowe

Changes happen every day. Some we embrace and some we don’t. Those we don’t embrace take a lot of energy to deal with. So, finding and celebrating changes we love is good for the heart and soul.

Fall farmers market

To me and so many others, fall is the season that most represents change. In a way fall always seems like the New Year. Probably because it is the start of a new year in school.

My morning walk view of the school and it's playground through the fence

Yes, I’m old enough to have been out of school for MANY years. But as an adult I returned to college to finally finish my degree when I was thirty-six and my kids were still in school. I worked at a college as a fraternity chef, so my work schedule coordinated with the college schedule. It was the best of all worlds to have summer and school vacations off with my children.

An evening walk as the shadows from the setting sun play with the rising moon to the left and the glowing street lights

Another one of my careers was working in the development office as the alumni director for two independent, secondary schools and one college. So, for fifteen years, I again followed the schedule of schools, although I did have to work through the summer. But working summer had a different vibe and was more relaxed than during the school year.


Check out the bees on the center of the flower in this close-up

Another change associated with fall are the changing colors. I do love my spring and summer flowers. And winter white has a magical quality to it, but fall is my favorite. The bright colors of changing leaves and fall flowers and the invigorating air is a balm to me. The later we go into fall, the darker, vivid blue of the sky and the intensity of stars on a clear night are magical. Even the dying, stark stalks that once carried vivid flowers, have a certain beauty of their own.

Fall color overlooking the ocean

Of course, a very special day in my life is my birthday—I’m a September baby. My son was born in October and my daughter in November. So yes, fall once again is a special time for celebrations. To me, fall is my favorite time of year for weddings. No, I did not get married in the fall. But I love the idea of fall weddings and fall romance. So, I have written several books that take place in the fall—one with a fall wedding and two with fall proposals.

No, I'm not one - but it was a pretty cake - love purple!

What is your favorite kind of change?

A fall wedding is the catalyst for rekindling love for two who's love was lost

The Love Left Behind

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/

Books2Read   books2read.com/u/mglVqK

Fall in New England and Love!

Legacy of Parkers Point

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Parkers-Point-Serenity-Starlight-ebook/dp/B0743NVCC6/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/b6rQzx

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Her new novella, The Love Left Behind, will release in late fall, 2020.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page:
https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page:
https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page:
https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits: 1st Birthday Cake Clipart - Free Clipart Images - ClipArt Best - ClipArt Best