The wildfires have been throwing wrenches into just about everything lately. Smoke has settled over the region like an unwanted houseguest, lingering long enough to cancel events, postpone plans, and shrink gatherings down to their bare bones. The Brimson Market wasn’t spared; it, too, had to scale back.
Still, when the air finally cleared enough to see the treetops again, I asked my parents if they wanted to head down the road and check it out. I’d been craving fresh local greens. You know, like the real ones, the kind that don’t come wrapped in plastic. With the recent contamination, I’ve been giving grocery‑store produce the kind of suspicious glare I give those dumb jerks riding my bumper out on the dirt roads out here.
We dressed for the weather, hot, muggy, and buggy, and made our way to Hugo’s Bar. According to their Facebook page, Brimson Market runs from Memorial Day weekend and then Saturdays from July 4th through Labor Day, 9 a.m. to noon unless SISU shakes things up.
As we pulled into the lot, we saw only two vendors set up under their tents. Dad took one look and decided to stay in the truck. Mom and I hopped out anyway. Even a tiny market can hold a surprise or two, and we weren’t about to miss out.
Mary Kraushaar, owner of Hooked on Maija, told us most vendors had canceled because of the air quality. Even the band had bowed out. Her booth, though, was a burst of color with crochet creations spilling across the table. It felt like a little pocket of cheer tucked into an otherwise disappointing morning.
One of my favorites of her creations was the crocheted hanging plants. I’ve seen crochet plant hangers before, but never one with a fully crocheted plant dangling inside. It was whimsical in the best way. She’d also stitched beloved characters like Snoopy and many others and had a basket of dog toys that our dogs would have adored if they didn’t already have a toy situation that could qualify as a structural hazard.
I picked up a beautiful trivet in my favorite colors and at a very reasonable price. Mom found a basket, because of course she did. She’s got a thing for baskets. She also found a ring at the other vendor’s table that fit her perfectly.
The vendor assured us the market is usually much fuller and hoped we’d come back. If we’d arrived earlier, we could’ve snagged some baked goods from their table. We’re always a little late to the party, us Simons. It’s practically a family motto.
Even with only two vendors, the trip turned out to be a fruitful one. Short, sweet, and full of the kind of small laughs that make a simple Saturday feel like an adventure. The whole outing settled into that category of tiny summer memories that stick around longer than you expect. (Remember that one time we got all ready for the Brimson Market and there were only two vendors there?)
We’ll be glad to go back again, and next time with more vendors, we’ll give ourselves more time to wander, chat, and peruse the local goodies. Even a scaled‑down market can surprise you. Sometimes the treasure isn’t the number of vendors but the small joys you find anyway.
To reach Mary for Hooked on Maija products, email mmkraushaar@yahoo.com. Her items are, as she says, “Handmade from the heart,” and judging by the beautiful trivet now sitting on my counter in the prettiest shade of blue, my heart is already hooked.
