Earl's farm stand

Some evenings of late after working at the local library and before going running near dusk, I stop by Earl's for fresh summer produce.

Along with heaping red globes of Hanover tomatoes, pendulous squash, oblong peppers, and plump melons, along with all this delicious produce I always leave with a little philosophy and something to ponder from Earl.

Earl is a friendly older black man who runs the farm stand. We know each other by name now and always share a lively conversation. He is always so interested and intrigued and supportive of whatever I'm up to. He wants to know all about me, and I guess I sure don't fit the mold of most people back in this slow country town. He has an open mind and opinion about everything. I would even go so far to claim he has a subtle philosophical air beneath his down home veneer. Earl is refreshing in a way I often find lacking in most people. Surprises, surprises.

You never know what wisdom you might find these days and where, it may come from. It could be right under our noses or sitting in the idle heat of the roadside farm stand...