Madison Saturdays

Saturday in Madison, especially once the Farmers Market is open, is rather grand! This morning I biked up to the capitol and walked a lap around the square to persue what was there. I didn't buy much but I did score a nice bunch of organic early spring greens. The woman at the stand even complimented me on my head scarf. Of course, there were some scones that were calling my name so I bought them to quiet them down. I had a bit of a late start this morning so I didn't get there until about 7:30. By that time there were plenty of people. Normally I like to be leaving the area before there are too many strollers, wagons and groups of people chatting in the middle of the sidewalk.

Madison has a newspaper called The Pulse. It is subtitled "Wisconsin's Homeless / Marginalized Newspaper." The paper raises awareness and it is sold by local homeless or impoverished people. This is a way to help them work and earn money as well as help to bring much needed solutions. I always buy my copy from Chris. I've gotten to know him the last couple of years because he always stands near where I park my bike when I go the market. In the winter, he is often outside the northside Willy Street Co-op, which I frequent when I am in town. Today, after I got the paper and we chatted a bit, he gave me a photo of himself. Since the paper comes out monthly, I usually give him my copy back the next week so he can sell it again. I like that Madison has such a progressive program in place.

After the farmers market, I biked to my favorite coffee shop, Mother Fools, better known to the local as MOFOs. I stopped for an iced coffee and a cookie. They have the best

vegan cookies! Usually they have about a dozen varieties but I always get a chocolate walnut. This morning I was feeling adventurous so I told the barista that it was dealer's choice, she could pick the cookie. She paused and then picked out her favorite, and her own breakfast for the morning, a chocolate walnut! Nice to receive validation that I somehow knew what the best cookie was. I sat and read the Isthmus as I drank my coffee. Willy Street Coop is just a few blocks away so that was my next stop. I didn't need much but I picked up a couple items for a friend. The people there are always so nice and the food is healthy. The clerk told me she liked my nail polish. One thing I've learned about women, they often express such things to one another and it generates a warm feeling to receive such a small act of kindness. Willy St. also has a nice selection of local papers so I was able to pick up a copy of The Wisconsin Gazette and the CT. I purposefully left a little later so I could stop at the Willy Street St. Vincent DePaul store after they opened at 9. I have learned that they have a wonderful young adult book section and their prices are really cheap. I got the seven titles on the left for $15.43. Four of them are hardcover and one is autographed by the author. I'm always looking to keep my classroom stocked with books I know students are interested in reading.

As I biked my ten miles of errands today I enjoyed the smells and sounds of Madison. I thought about living here. I smiled and chuckled quietly to myself. There are two things about me that my family would attest to: 1) Whenever we traveled anywhere I would become frustrated with the traffic. Driving in Chicago, Los Angeles on a Friday at 5 p.m. or New York, trying to leave Manhattan on a Sunday afternoon, I would comment, "How do people live like this!?" and 2) Wherever we would go, I would proclaim that I wanted to live there. Whether it be Toronto, Brooklyn, Paris, Cinque Terra, Dancing Rabbit, Madison, Manitowoc or little ol' Dalton, WI, no matter where I spend time, I can see myself living in the place. To the point that on many vacations, I am pricing houses and apartments. (The only exception to this observation is Las Vegas....I have no interest in ever going there again!) As I reflect on what this means, I think this is evidence that I can bloom where I am planted. I have rather low standards and low

expectations; I am easily entertained, amused and satisfied. There are many places where I can go to be with friends, get involved and live out my days. Perhaps that is why I am having such difficulty making decisions about my future right now.

Maybe I need to go on another bike ride.