Today was the Strawberry Festival and when I drove to town I was surprised to find the main road completely blocked off on both sides.
Paul walked one end of the closure in a indistinct uniform of mossy green, a sash across his chest festooned with ribbons and large woolen strawberries – I think the man from the post office dressed similarly was working the other end of the closure.
There were long tables set up end to end along the road and they nearly bowed with food heaped upon them.
I could recognized Bess’ loaves and Barbie’s cheeses.
There were baskets of berries of all types and jar upon jar of heavy creams and jams.
Piles of biscuits were stacked at regular intervals and children and chickens were loose through the street.
I laughed out loud at the sight of so much joy.
I was greeted by townsfolks I knew or slightly recognized and name after name was thrown at me as I was introduced around.
Eventually I was seated at a table with a mix of new and known faces and each of us was given a crown of crochet berries and leaves.
The food was some of the best I had ever eaten and those berries will live in my memory for a good long while.
Bess’ daughter pressed a basket into my hands as I got ready to leave and I peaked under the light cloth to discover a little bit of everything at the feast as well as a beautiful pie in the depths.
Bess’ son ran up with Skobeth in his arms and tucked her into my jacket pocket – I didn’t even have time to ask him where she’s come from… I had left her sleeping the big chair when I got in the truck this morning.
As I drove back up the road to my cottage I saw Tana and Kat walking along the fenceline between my yard and Barbie’s.
Several town youths followed behind them.