Farmers Market Writings and Other Observations from Betty Fussell

Acclaimed writer and Casa Dorinda resident Betty Fussell has recently released her memoir, How to Cook a Coyote: The Joy of Old Age. In it, she reflects on her experiences, observations and life’s work with wit and vivacity.

In the spirit of farmers markets, here is an excerpt from the chapter “Saturday Soup Opera,” about the Saturday farmers market in Santa Barbara:

“At the market I use my walker as both grocery cart and aggressive tank to weave at full speed through crowded aisles, attempting to avoid baby strollers that claim right-of-way for their human cargo and malingering teenagers who stop midstream to chat. I play the old-lady card and shout “Beep beep!” I worry about losing my dark glasses when I peer closely at spots on this furry peach or feel up for ripeness that pebbled avocado.

“My fingers fumble with crumpled bills, dropped coins, plastic bags that refuse to open. Since I lack one-dollar bills, I ignore the basket in front of the costumed lady who blows a long Tibetan horn. But I can’t ignore the string band of elderly gents fiddling to entrance a group of tiny tots rooted in awe.”

Does this sound familiar? Will you find yourselves in her thoughts and pages?

For the record: It is much easier to navigate the larger aisles at the new location of the Saturday market and I view the center of the market as the perfect place to set a portable chair to take part in “Market TV,” where we watch people come and go and wave hello to friends. Maybe Betty will hold court with me.

Fun fact: Julie Child also retired to Casa Dorinda. Great writers and great minds … do whatever they want, but seem to enjoy it most in Santa Barbara!

Copyright © 2025 by Betty Fussell
Excerpted from How to Cook a Coyote. Reprinted by permission of Counterpoint Press, an imprint of Catapult Book Group.