UN-EXPECTATIONS

I often say that when you wake up in the morning, you never know what the day will bring.  So, first, be grateful you woke up!

It's a typical Saturday morning.....a Saratoga Saturday!  But we cannot always anticipate what the day will bring.  I take my coffee out to the porch.  Just so happens it turned out to be a 'good' cup too.  (Not sure why some mornings it's better than others.)  There is a prediction for another hot and humid day but it starts out with a pleasant breeze. I did not expect to enjoy such a wonderful day for people watching.

Since our local (and fantastic)  SARATOGA FARMERS' MARKET sets up right across the steet in High Rock Park, my neighbors and I are able to do a lot of observing. The vendors start before 7 AM.  Setting up tents, canopies, unloading their wares and moving the trucks takes a lot of time.  They wait for Anna Mae (who makes and sells delicious jams and jellies) to walk through the market ringing the bell at 9 AM sharp.  Cannot sell anything until the bell rings!

Soon a familiar face is walking up the path.  What a pleasure to find my dear friend and spectacular artist, SHARON CRUTE, taking time for a visit.  Although the fresh veggies and plants are the reasons she walked over from her home, it is my pleasure to have her sit and chat for awhile.  Never expected that today!

Not only did I not expect the visit, but Sharon surprised me with a signed copy of a wonderful book.  Recently published and written by Dale Sue Wade, Sharon's illustrations are so perfect.  Please take the time to check out 101 Whinnying Riddles for Horse Crazy Kids.  All ages will enjoy the drawings along with puns and, in the process, learn a lot about horses and horseracing.  Lots of good stuff in it!  You can find it on Amazon.com. What a great gift idea!

While I was enjoying the scene playing out before me, I get an unexpected phone call.  A dear friend, visiting from another state, will be joining us tomorrow.  We will all be giving thanks for a little girl's recovery from leukemia.  After 2.5 years of chemo, spinal taps, hospitalizations, etc., she is free of this deadly cancer.  Some of you may remember when I did some fundraising for the LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY and then walked a half-marathon in her honor.  Remember this when you have that ache or pain.  She's only 6 years old now and look at what she has experienced in those short years.

And I witnessed an unexpected animal lover berating folks who left their Newfoundland in the car while they shopped.  Yes, the window was open and the dog could put his/her head out which was the case.  With incessant barking, no one could avoid noticing and only one person spoke up when the owners returned.  She was quite adamant trying to explain how hot the car gets, etc.  I don't think the owners appreciated being told what to do but the woman was right.  I do think there might have been a nicer approach but at least she did something.  I'm sure the owners did not expect that tongue-lashing.

So the morning goes and Anna Mae comes through with the bell again at 1 PM signalling the close of the market.  So the day started with no expectations and ended with pleasant memories. 

"Life is largely a matter of expectation."
Horace