When my schedule allows it, Saturday morning means a trip to the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market.  There is so much about it that appeals to me…the artistic wonder that is the organic tapestry of  different vegetables…all of the colours, textures, shapes, flavours… And the living mosaic of humanity too…The sensory input—the patter of vendors and wanderers; the hum of local business happening; music from whatever busker is here for the day, tucked into a corner and unfurling a tune that embraces the whole; the smell of coffee, empanadas, bread, flowers, herbs… To steep however briefly in this glorious Venn diagram of humanity, earthiness, and art is as beautiful a beginning to a Saturday as I might imagine.

One of my regular stops is a local butcher, Vessel Meats.  It rarely occurs to me to check the website first to see what kind of sausage they will have at the market.  It’s more fun to pass by and have a peek.  Will it be The Buffy with three forms of garlic?  Green Chorizo?  Bicol Express?  Something new?  Today I decided to try a flavour profile that was new to me— Beet and Feta.  Its gorgeous fuchsia colour caught my eye and sparked my curiosity.  The people who are behind the cases are as engaging as their offerings.  I greeted J and asked what he would do with the beet and feta— He described a salad he’d made…arugula, spring greens, a creamy garlicky dressing, crumble the sausage on top… SOLD!  Then I was telling him about what I’d done with the last links I’d bought—spinach and feta.  Sliced up asparagus in with the broken-up sausage, toss with gnocchi, add a spoonful of pesto…serve.  “Ohhhhhh….”

This turned into musing about good ingredients.  J said, “When you have good ingredients, you don’t need to do much—just introduce them to each other and the good of each will be drawn out.”  “It’s like people.” I said.  “Good draws out good in others and that greater good is good for a still larger whole.”  J looked at me.  “It IS true with people…I’m going to think on that all shift…” 

We settled up and I went off, thankful for the beauty encountered, human and otherwise.  What a gift to feel like my day has already been a gentle and sustaining feast… The table is large, the company interesting, the grace simple and palpable.

And I am grateful for Earth and Art and Humanity, ingredients and simplicity, and good and good and good.