Come in, she said, I’ll give you....

I was actually sort of glad to have today be sort of foggy and rainy.

On my way back to the road to start the hike up the mountain, I checked in on Martha and Lizie's ramp patch.
Consider yourself sworn to secrecy.
Ramps are a wild leek. They taste a bit like a cross between a chive and garlic. The wonderful aftertaste stays with you for quite a while. They are delicious scrambled with eggs. The greens are delicate and flavorful and the bulb will make your eyes water.
They are also hunted into scarcity. This patch has been over harvested and is in danger of disappearing completely. Which is a shame since Martha and Lizie planted them.

I had this for dinner tonight. It was really good.
I can't really tell you what poke tastes like. It's very green like spinach and it has a tingly little bite to it. It's very unique.

Annie...Gator's gotcha grannie.
Well, Shadow freaked and hit the goat wire and I had to go down into the goat pasture to get him.
My poke is just right! Poke is a delicious green when picked as small shoots. Folks who like it eagerly await it's appearance. Once poke gets big...it becomes poisonous, the berries are definitely poisonous.
But poke shoots are delicous. Traditionally it is wilted in bacon grease. I toss them in hot olive oil and just a bit of salt.
It be a good thing.

This roadside shrine has been lovingly maintained the entire time I've lived here. They decorate it each season.
It's all done up in easter bunnies right now. I need to ask Betty what the story is on this....I know this is where he died, I'm not sure when.

These folks seem to have done fairly well in their trading today. A new hound dog was added, a handsome game rooster and a new gun for little sister. She's cleaning away at it. She sort of reminds me of me at that age. I was such a little hellion.

No...it's not a new rock group.
There are many wondrous sights at the Morristown First Monday Market. You are bound to find something you like...even if it isn't alive. It's one of those places where you can get a gun with no waiting. These are farm guns...mostly shotguns and .22s.
You will also see people strolling around with guns. This is a fairly large, prosperous town, but no one questions your right to bear arms here. It is, after all, Tennessee.

This is where the First Monday Market of Morristown, TN happens. This is the back view. If you arrive here when you are supposed to...not strolling in at 11 a.m. as I did...all of this will be filled with trailers and trucks with cages of small stock. People arrive at 5 a.m. The farmers seem to be of mixed opinion. Some see First Monday as a rest day...a day to come to town, get rid of extra stock and spend a leisurely day. The more serious farmers come at 5 a.m., sell their chickens and go home to do farmer things.
This is located off of Buffalo Trail in Morristown, TN. Morristown is between the Clinch Mountains and the mountains I live in.

This is the front of the actual Stockyard building in Morristown.

These folks must have arrived before dawn to get this plum spot.
Despite all of my surplus eggs...this isn't something I pickle. She's done it up right, though, with beet juice and all. She also had sour kraut and a few other good canned things.
This is one of the few places you can still get actual home canned goods. Hmmm... I wonder if there is a market for my kudzu jelly?