Farmer's Market - Finally Remembered!

Our local farmer's market is held every Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00. Every week I look forward to going and checking out the bounty. And every Wednesday evening, shortly after 8:00, I look at the clock, realize I forgot about it, smack my head in dismay, and think, "Oh well, I guess there's always next week."

But this evening I remembered. A little after 5:00, as we were moving the dinner dishes from the table to the huge pile filling the sink and spilling out onto the counters, I told Jeff I wanted to go to the farmer's market. Right away. If we waited for later, we would never make it. My visiting teachers were coming at 7:00, and by the time they left it would be too late, so it was now or never. So we got the kids dressed a little more presentably, shoved everyone's feet into shoes or sandals, and hopped into the car.

As we passed the gas station a block from the apartment, Jeff pulled on in, stating that we were really low on gas. Okay, so we would just get a few gallons, then be on our way. And that's pretty much how it went.

Except for the "be on our way" part.

After gassing up the car, Jeff climbed back into the driver seat and turned the key. And the car wouldn't start. It was turning, but not firing. We tried for several minutes, then Jeff got out and popped the hood. The man with the van in the space next to us (who happened to be a mechanic) stepped over to see if he could help. He said it probably had something to do with the coil - sitting in the sun all day overheated the already-wearing-out coil, and that kept it from working. Or something like that. I don't fully understand it. Anyway, after standing in front of the car staring down at the engine and talking man-talk for a while, they still weren't able to get the car started, so I popped the car in neutral while Jeff, the helpful mechanic, and his teenage son pushed it out of the way.

The man's wife gave the kids and I a ride home in their van. It actually had two built-in car seats that we were able to buckle the kids in. That was great because we didn't have to go through the trouble of moving our seats into their van, then back out when we got home, then back to the car. The lady let me use their phone to call my parents. So while the kids and I were getting a ride home, Mom sent Morgan over with the van and tow cable so he could help us get the car back home. The car didn't end up needing to be towed - after sitting for a while, the coil had time to cool down (?) and the car started on its own.

I am so grateful that the man and his wife were there, right next to us, to help us out and give us a ride home. The kids were able to get home without getting overheated (it was quite warm, much too warm to sit in the car while waiting for Morgan), and we were able to get the car moved where it wouldn't be in the way (it had been stuck right at the gas pump, which I'm sure would have caused problems had it stayed there).

When Dad gets home from all his obligations this evening (work, scouts) Mom will be sending him over to take a look at the car and see if he can make it all better somehow. Or at least tell us what we need to do to make it all better. No, I'd rather he just go ahead and make it all better.

So long story short - yes, I remembered about the farmer's market; and yes, we were on our way there to enjoy an hour or so of wandering among the beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables. But no, we still have not been able to go to the farmer's market. Oh well, I guess there's always next week.

Pout.