Just Right and Really right!

Hello again, been a bit since I bothered you, but enough “this and that’s” and a “new” venue recently fell into my hands, so maybe a Memorial Day would be a good time to resurface..

Venue

I have known about this place for years, but somehow never visited.   I have a friend who is in a musical group that plays there a lot, but have never gone to hear him/them.   To protect his identity, I’ll call him “Opus” who has good taste in music, food, friends, and aircraft.  Anyway, I somehow never got myself down to hear him.   But, a longtime Volunteer at the Historical Society was going to celebrate his 70^th birthday, and it was held at

editor's note: this name offers many opportunities for being cute:  "for cryering out load";  "the blog is cryering" and so on, but i'll play it straight today

Down in Compton or in the local vernacular “Cawp-ten” We have passed it many times on our way down to St. Francis Xavier for functions, lectures, and so on.

Anyway, with the motivation of the social gathering, MFO and I ventured down, and what I found was another candidate for the “Just Right” list which is near and dear to the Feeder’s heart. (check their "timely" sitehere where you can see the band schedule for 2014, but it is a good inventory of things you will find there) As usual, when I mention a place I get intrigued by the history of the place, but I don’t have much info (yet) but heard it was a grocery store for many years.  Fortunately I have a friend who is an accomplished archivist and I may turn her loose, although feel free to send me any memories.  In fact the person who’s birthday we were going to celebrate runs a Facebook page “you know you’re from St. Mary’s County if…..” which contains many pictures of the rich history of our Mother County!! Check that out if you’re interested..

I think maybe the only caveat for the “just right” criteria, might be the longevity of the current incarnation of Cryers, but most criteria boxes have certainly been checked.

Ball Field associated with the place?

Check

Keno/”gambling” in some form available?

Check

Local memorabilia posted?

Check

Southern Maryland’s favorite beverages available?

Check Check

(although I saw more evidence of the former rather than the latter)

Check - although maybe points off because

not in a 10 oz. container!

Darts, shuffle “something”?

Check

With a special honor of a “local”. 

“Bacchus”

An outdoor facility?

Check

Oh, and of course there are nice views on the way there through rural SMC

The ONLY thing I didn’t explore (or see evidence of) was food.  Perhaps others have more info on that.. may have to assemble the “just right” judging team to pursue that…that of course would be key to entry on the main list

Anyway (again) it was truly a “cheers” atmosphere, where everybody knew your name.  You might want to check it out..  Good Southern Maryland Culture.

Speaking of Southern Maryland Culture..

As most people are (or should be aware) of the burgeoning “buy local” mentality.   MFO and I paid a visit to one of the weekend “farmer’s Market” in the old BAE(Lowe’s) parking lot.  The “main” market is down by Hermanville Road, and very many of the local farmers have places there, but the other one is closer to us, and easy for me to navigate around, being in a paved parking lot.

We arrived to see lines already forming. 

The reason??

They're IN!!!!

We waited patiently (chatting with people in line), and eventually got 3 pints for gifts and for eating.  A lot of people emote about the taste of “Fresh foods” and I think strawberries are a perfect example.  Look at those beautiful berries

Small, sweet, and no “white stuff” you get with supermarket varieties.   Lovely

And it being early spring, there are (duhh) spring type vegetables displayed

One has to marvel at the wonderful colors and shapes of natures's plants

And not only was there “truck farm” produce, but even mushrooms that a guy grew in his basement

Local meats were also available from “battle creek beef, inc.”

And good old Blue Wind Gourmet brought their food truck (a whole other genre)

This little enclave of local farmers (and locals) is replicated more and more throughout the country now, like the one we visited in Cape Girardeau with FOJTY a few years ago.   If you get the chance, patronize them, it’s good for the community and oh, so good for the (eyes and the) body!  The real stuff!

And I supposed even though the stuff is from “down on the farm” you should honor it by being

DFD, appropriately of course..

DMJ as well

And a bit of avian lagniappe

Dum de Dum, i'm just an adolescent Red Tailed Hawk, sitting on the feeder's fence enjoying the view

Hey!  who the heck do you think you are?

after the Mocker made a few futile passes attempting to convince Henry to move along, apparently a truce was struck

Okay, you can sit here, but I don't see you!! Good thing I've had my lunch!  By the way, how's the wife and kids (and where's the nest??)