An almost perfect weekend

I bought this great market basket (note the wooden wheels) in the 1970s when the legendary Dane County Farmers Market began. I lived close enough to the market to walk to it, but far enough that I needed some kind of carryall. It's critical for August produce that weighs more than I can easily carry. These days there are so many excellent farm markets all over town that I haven't been downtown to the big market in years. 

You can see what I mean: cantaloupe and 9 ears of corn were the first things I bought. They went on the bottom and I built on that solid base. The bag holds pastries from Madison Sourdough. The thought of those treats gets me up early on Saturday morning.

Yesterday I got to the market when it opened knowing how hot and humid the weather was already. Last night at 7 p.m. the temperature was still 89°F. (31.66°C.) Weather Bug said it felt like 99°F. (37.22°C.) and I wouldn't argue with that. But I can't really complain given the extreme heat so many others are experiencing. 

Rain was forecast to begin overnight. Lately it seems like we are often in a gap in storm systems and get little or no rain. Not this time. When I went out around 8 a.m., my rain gauge measured 1.94" (4.92 cm.). We're supposed to get a little more rain today and possibly tomorrow. I was stunned at that number and thrilled. 

The temps look cooler for the coming week. So I will be able to weed in prep for our last garden tour on Thursday, even if it's too wet to plant the things that have been waiting for the temps to drop.

Comments

[Kris P]

I love the market basket. I've wanted something like that to take to plant sales, not that there are many of those happening these days. Congratulations on the rain! I can still see thunderclouds in the distance to the east here but they seem to be stuck on the other side of the mountains. I hope your spell of cooler temperatures continues.

[Beth@PlantPostings]

That's a great basket! I can think of so many uses for it. :) We got more than three inches over here in my part of McFarland. iWeather.net for the past 48 hours shows how it was kind of localized, but it looks like NE Iowa got the most from this recent system. No need to water the garden for a few days. Yay.

[Elizabeth]

It is insufferably hot here in SoCal, and I feel like a mole, closing off the light to block the heat. Your rainstorm sounds marvelous to me! I miss the rollicking crack of a good thunder and lightening show (from the safety of the indoors, of course). Aren't farmer's markets wonderful? I'm so glad they are more common than they used to be. Imagine, actually finding ripe strawberries and peaches. What a novel concept!

[Linda Brazill]

ELIZABETH — When my sister lived in SoCal she always missed big thunderstorms. When we were growing up in Buffalo, we often got thunder during winter snowstorms which felt mysterious.

[Linda Brazill]

BETH — I am thrilled not to have to water for a bit. I was also watering part of Cindy's garden while she has been on a trip. So I am doubly happy with the rainfall.

[Linda Brazill]

KIRS P. — Found that market basket in an old antiques shop in one of the little towns around here. So glad I didn't pass it up as it was years before they started making similar ones again. It is so useful — and cool!

[danger garden]

That basket is fabulous and the things you filled it with look delicious. We hit 100 again yesterday and haven't had rain since mid June. It is very dry out there!

[Linda Brazill]

DANGER — Your weather definitely makes me rethink gardening in your area. I shouldn't complain about what I have or don't have weatherwise.

[Frank]

What a beautiful basket and love the perfect produce!
Glad to hear about the rain. It makes such a difference when a good soak comes through and perks up the borders.