The rain was slapping down on the windshield with an uncharacteristically heavy splat as we pulled out of the farm driveway on the way to Saturday morning’s farmers’ market. It was Memorial Day weekend, the second Saturday the Pakatakan Farmers’ Market has been open this season, and one of the most important days for all of us vendors. Our farmers’ market runs for 22 weeks each growing season, and a full 30 percent of our annual sales happen on four holiday weekends: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Columbus Day. As we head down the road facing the sleet and rain, I wonder if I’m torturing myself even thinking about such a trip. Perhaps I could have had work someplace where I’d have easily afforded a trip to the desert to celebrate my fortieth birthday.