You know you're in Alaska when you have to put your sun visor down at 3:00 a.m.
Blue must be the color of the day. Everything I've seen since opening my eyes has been blue. The warm fuzzy flannel baby blue sheets. Bob in his blue sleep shirt. My undies. Michelle's blue eyes over coffee. The sky bringing fat dark blue storm clouds. My mood is anything but blue. It's hopeful. Izzy and Ittik join us for coffee. Small talk. so to speak. Mosquitoes are out in force. Are they wanting me to check to see if their eyes are blue? I really out to check because they just hit a vein, tiny eyes rolling back in their sockets. I must taste delectable this early in the day. As stated before I am not aware of the time. Judging by the activity in the house it's between ten and noon.
On today's list of seeing Alaska, Bob, Danny, Michelle and I are going to The Saturday Market in downtown Anchorage. It's an upscale flea market with "most goods from China" Michelle told me. I'm on the hunt for a purse I can wear like a mini backpack, and gifts for some of my peeps. My camera is getting awfully heavy in the satchel that I brought with me. But first, we're going to stop at Black Elk Leather, Beads and Stones off Seward Highway where Michelle sells her Jewelry and Dream Catchers. The boys have a few pieces of jewelry for sale as well. I'm excited about seeing her wares. She's created for me some awesome fishing tackle earrings and necklaces.
As Bill says 'shameless plug" - hahahaha
www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-Dog-House-Tackle/281878185168192
We're introduced to the staff at Black Elk, Michelle goes to see what has sold, Danny is ready to spend the money burning a hole in his pocket, Bob is browsing and I'm sniffing strips of leather. Don't tell me you don't like the smell of leather. Beautiful paintings, carvings, beaded work and magazine and newspaper articles to peruse and purchase. Well, well, well - Joseph and Michelle each had a piece sell this week!! The profit's enough to buy more supplies.
On today's list of seeing Alaska, Bob, Danny, Michelle and I are going to The Saturday Market in downtown Anchorage. It's an upscale flea market with "most goods from China" Michelle told me. I'm on the hunt for a purse I can wear like a mini backpack, and gifts for some of my peeps. My camera is getting awfully heavy in the satchel that I brought with me. But first, we're going to stop at Black Elk Leather, Beads and Stones off Seward Highway where Michelle sells her Jewelry and Dream Catchers. The boys have a few pieces of jewelry for sale as well. I'm excited about seeing her wares. She's created for me some awesome fishing tackle earrings and necklaces.
As Bill says 'shameless plug" - hahahaha
www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-Dog-House-Tackle/281878185168192
We're introduced to the staff at Black Elk, Michelle goes to see what has sold, Danny is ready to spend the money burning a hole in his pocket, Bob is browsing and I'm sniffing strips of leather. Don't tell me you don't like the smell of leather. Beautiful paintings, carvings, beaded work and magazine and newspaper articles to peruse and purchase. Well, well, well - Joseph and Michelle each had a piece sell this week!! The profit's enough to buy more supplies.
I'm kind of scared of this place next door to Black Elk. One Minute Chinese Drive Thru - not ready for my stomach to work that out.
We drove a bit through town trying to find a free place to park. No such luck so the lot we found was $10 for two hours. Holy Smokes! No wonder folks have been driving 'round and 'round looking for a sweet place to park. The market, which is open each Saturday is down the hill from Cook Inlet at the corner of 3rd and E Streets, not to far from Ships Creek where we were earlier this week. The wind is a little high, the flower baskets gently swaying from street posts in purple and yellow. Those fat blue clouds from earlier are becoming fat dark storm clouds. Rain, rain go away, go to Texas.
There's local entertainment singing some sad Johnny Cash as we enter the free event. Craft and food tents busy, vendor and non-profit tents smiling as you pass or enter and there you go Bob - some of the biggest cucumbers I've ever seen in my life! I was here a few years ago so I didn't take photos. Just committing the day to memory. I was craving popcorn but refused to pay $13 for Gourmet flavors or $7 for fresh Kettle Corn that I can get back home for $2.50. Cute booties for adults, scarves, shawls, hats and mittens for cooler weather are nice but don't fit our sweltering heat and mild winters. Oh my, there's a purse I'd like to have but not big enough for anything but a wallet. It's a yellow cat face! Adorbs!!!!! I want it but don't need it. I let Danny in on the secret of spending...is it something you want or something you need? Furthermore, if it is something you can't live without -by all means get it! Those are the deciding factors for me.
What I really wanted was to see Mike, the T-shirt Guy. Husky man with a gravely voice, long grey flecked beard, easy going nature and the best bear hugs this side of the world. Plus he always kids people from Texas! You know, "Texas is Alaska's baby sister...Alaska - Pissing off Texas since 1959... If you cut Alaska in half, Texas is the 3rd largest state." I found Mike in the same area he was last time, it took him a minute to remember me, all I had to do was laugh. From his mouth- "Hey, I remember you - just as pretty, hugs like a Momma bear and twice as feisty!" Yep, that's me Mike.
The shirt I bought three years ago and my newest addition, Claustrophobia.
There's local entertainment singing some sad Johnny Cash as we enter the free event. Craft and food tents busy, vendor and non-profit tents smiling as you pass or enter and there you go Bob - some of the biggest cucumbers I've ever seen in my life! I was here a few years ago so I didn't take photos. Just committing the day to memory. I was craving popcorn but refused to pay $13 for Gourmet flavors or $7 for fresh Kettle Corn that I can get back home for $2.50. Cute booties for adults, scarves, shawls, hats and mittens for cooler weather are nice but don't fit our sweltering heat and mild winters. Oh my, there's a purse I'd like to have but not big enough for anything but a wallet. It's a yellow cat face! Adorbs!!!!! I want it but don't need it. I let Danny in on the secret of spending...is it something you want or something you need? Furthermore, if it is something you can't live without -by all means get it! Those are the deciding factors for me.
What I really wanted was to see Mike, the T-shirt Guy. Husky man with a gravely voice, long grey flecked beard, easy going nature and the best bear hugs this side of the world. Plus he always kids people from Texas! You know, "Texas is Alaska's baby sister...Alaska - Pissing off Texas since 1959... If you cut Alaska in half, Texas is the 3rd largest state." I found Mike in the same area he was last time, it took him a minute to remember me, all I had to do was laugh. From his mouth- "Hey, I remember you - just as pretty, hugs like a Momma bear and twice as feisty!" Yep, that's me Mike.
The shirt I bought three years ago and my newest addition, Claustrophobia.
Okay Mike, you got me with "Claustrophobia". Gave me a nice discount, a bear hug of his own, he wouldn't let go! Must have been a while since he had a real hug. In parting Mike told me what a customer said about Alaska making fun of the "size" of Texas - - "You may be the largest state but we have the prettiest girls!" I opened my arms and in my most suthern' drawl said to Mike, "Can I get a witness to testify to that bit o' truth?" Mike replies, "Amen to that Sista, amen to that!"
Danny had been fussing about not feeling well. He was a bit warm to the touch. He wanted so much to hang with Aunt Catz but was getting paler by the minute. Bob and I asked if it'd be okay if we were left downtown for the rest of the afternoon. Browse the city streets and see what devilment we can get into. It's about 2:00PM (by the watch of a stranger) so let's say around 6:30 we give you a call from a pay phone (that's a laugh) or use some kind strangers phone. Remember I thought it ludacris to pay for an out of state plan. Agreed, though Danny was a little upset, Michelle showed a little sadness too. We parted ways not before offering to cover the cost of parking which was politely refused. See you tonight then.
Two Texans and a couple of trolls, off to do some stooped stuff....like find a Reindeer Hotdog and some serious mosquito repellant!
Danny had been fussing about not feeling well. He was a bit warm to the touch. He wanted so much to hang with Aunt Catz but was getting paler by the minute. Bob and I asked if it'd be okay if we were left downtown for the rest of the afternoon. Browse the city streets and see what devilment we can get into. It's about 2:00PM (by the watch of a stranger) so let's say around 6:30 we give you a call from a pay phone (that's a laugh) or use some kind strangers phone. Remember I thought it ludacris to pay for an out of state plan. Agreed, though Danny was a little upset, Michelle showed a little sadness too. We parted ways not before offering to cover the cost of parking which was politely refused. See you tonight then.
Two Texans and a couple of trolls, off to do some stooped stuff....like find a Reindeer Hotdog and some serious mosquito repellant!
Next Installment - Wandering and Waiting