Tiptoe through the lavender

Last weekend was the seasonal opening at one of several lavender farms.

There were quite a few who had turned out to harvest their own lavender at $3 per 100 stems. If you're into that sort of thing that's a bargain.

Long rows of plants had been planted. The surrounding beauty coupled with the vibrant purple of the lavender made for wonderful pictures.

Gail, the owner of the farm, had built a reception center just up the hill from the field of lavender. In the center complimentary glasses of lavender-aid were passed to the visitors. Lavender lotions, pictures/paintings of the farm, bouquets of lavender and postcards were displayed for sale.

It's taken a fair amount of capital to plant the plants, maintain them and build the visitor center. I wondered how much could one reap from the sales of lavender to makeup for all that's been put out to start this business. Like any farming venture, it had to be a labor of love and with little concern on what the monetary return would bring.

Wifey picked what she thought were 100 stems. Once at the check out counter the clerk said what Wifey had picked was far short of the 100 stems. The amount was worth a buck.

We bought a water color print of the farm, paid the buck for the bunch of stems, drove down the hill and into the valley.

What was picked, the price of the water color print, the drive up and back, the ambiance of the setting: Priceless. It was indeed one of those memorable days in the country.