The Amish put their delicious strawberries up for sale last week; I bought two quarts this morning for $6 apiece. I also got two bags of chocolate chip cookies.

Whenever I go to Saratoga to see Dr. Daly and her staff – they operated on my foot to remove a bone spur and halt an infection  – I bring them Amish cookies, and today, I got them one of the boxes of strawberries.

I give one bag of cookies to the receptionist and one to Dr. Daly and her nursing staff. When I walk in the door, somebody yells, “Hey, it’s the cookie guy.”

They deserved it; they might have saved my foot. I always make sure to show my appreciation by bringing them something good to eat, it breaks the tension.

Their work is hard and demanding, and lots of people are oafs and cretins these days.

The strawberries are delicious and a lot cheaper than the supermarkets or other farm stands. It was good to see some of the girls. We mostly wave at each other as they whiz by in buggies, and I drive by the Miller Farm.

It was good to see them and say hello.

There are all kinds of ways to be friends. A writer and photographer are not the best choice of friendship for people who don’t wish to be written about or photographed.

Our friendship is nice now, easy, free of rules and tension.

We are always happy to see each other and chat.

It’s a great gift to have a food stand like this right up the road, and their resurrection of a worn-out old cow farm is nothing short of a miracle.

This is better, friendly, good neighbors both, but not quite friends. That’s the right place to land.

I like feeling free to write and take photos when I want. It’s kind of who I am.

I also love seeing this farm stand open and thrive; cars stop there all day for the things the Millers grow and sell.

And I will always love the horse carriages going back and forth each day, clip-clopping as they go.

They are selling donuts, cookies, bracelets, necklaces, pies, cakes, strawberries,  and all kinds of fruit and vegetables soon.

I bought a dozen Amish bracelets to hand out at the Mansion at my following prayer and meditation class once it’s safe.

Moise did a significant job planting and plowing his fields, and it is showing this year.

He and his daughters are natural farmers; they are out in the fields day and night weeding, trimming, picking, and watering.

Maria and I ate a lot of strawberries on the drive to Saratoga. They are great. We may need more tomorrow.