Sunday, August 31, 2008

Tall Tale

When I go out to the farmer's market on Saturday morning, it's never just about the food. I chat with the vendors whose produce I buy every week. I see friends and neighbors and catch up on the news of their lives. Many folks bring their dogs to market, so I get to meet them and their owners. Knoxville is a very friendly town. 
When I'm finished shopping, I have breakfast at an outdoor table on the square and read the newspaper. I had my picture taken a couple times yesterday by tourists - hey, it's a public space, happy to be of service. Then, three hours later, I head for home, but there's usually one last opportunity for discourse with street performers and buskers. I met this young lady who took a shine to stilt walking and decided to come out to the square to do some walking around (that's her mom in the background). 
And her appearance helps me the make the point of my overly-rambling tale: the market brings people together, which is something that has been sorely lacking in our modern lives.

9 comments:

Virginia said...

I agree, it's a wonderful time to chat with old and new friends. This young lady looked so normal when I opened your photo today and then realized she was a tad out of proportion. (Took a shine.....ha!)

Laurie Allee said...

Yes! The market makes me feel connected not only to the land where I live via produce locally grown but to my neighbors and the community. I think it's a wonderful way to get close to the people and the place.

I had the same experience as Virginia. I thought this woman was of normal size but I looked closer and... whoa!

angela said...

One of the complaints about the closing down of neighbourhood shops is that chatting to shop staff gives some people social contact, old people who live alone particularly.
I've just enlarged the photo, she has lovely long hair to go with the increased height.

Jim Klenke said...

Talk about having legs all the way up to her neck.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Thank the lord for that. I thought had overdone it on the vino and it was just me seeing such a long tall sally. Friendly town! I've heard of them. Seattle Chuck has sort of echoes your points about markets and local shops being a bub bub of the community. How it should be.

USelaine said...

You know, the right cut of trousers can make all the difference, can't it?

tr3nta said...

thats a tall girl!!! :-)

Matt said...

I saw her, too. When I walked by, she was sitting/leaning against the suffrage statue, taking the load off at least one pair of feet.

Leedra said...

When I worked day shift downtown I used to go to Market Square on my lunch break. Back then Thursday was the day the farmers brought the veggies. You brought back a lot of memories of the square.