The weather cooperated for our complicated but enjoyable trip to the San Mateo Farmer's Market and picnic at Central Park. It took a while for us to realize that there simply were NO Purple Peruvian potatoes there this time, and the guys who sell the fruit pies had stood us up too. So, for dessert, we bought some fresh, organic strawberries and a pie shell.

By then, those who were scheduled to meet at the farmer's market had introduced themselves. We met, as planned, next to the performer's stand. The music this week was by a guitarist with a lovely, folksinger's voice. My young one was really entranced, which resulted in some non-musical accompaniments when we decided to leave for the picnic.

One family detoured to buy whipped cream for our spur-of-the-moment shortcake; the rest forged on ahead to meet the others who had staked out a picnic bench at Central Park. Five families, with kids ranging from 18 months through 12 years, converged at Central Park and proceeded to blow bubbles, slide, swing, throw around a baseball, admire the fuzzy caterpillars, and demolish a wide variety of picnic-type foods. And, the moms sat and talked for a while too. On our way out, a number of us stopped to stroll and to visit with the koi in the Japanese garden.

A laid-back, but enjoyable time, was had by all.