in the news, in the mall, at the bazaar

Well, the day started as it always does. Coffee and the newspaper. Except that nowadays, the newspaper is blinking at me from my laptop. I find that I read less of it now, what with the ability to scroll quickly past anything that doesn't immediately peak my interest. Not sure that is a good thing. So, I'm scrolling past 90% of the news when I see they have a feature on interesting places to buy gifts and it is focused on gift shops in museums and galleries. Well, that was cool, so I scrolled slower and there, in the paragraphs devoted to the Historical Society gift shop is this:

"A postage-stamp-sized pin by Pat Sorbini is actually a miniature book, perfect for “short stories, brief notes, haiku.”

Well, I know most of my art show friends are pretty blase about this sort of thing, but when you're quietly scrolling through the news and your name pops out at you like that, it jump starts the morning, I gotta tell you. And, I must admit, the fact that I was one of the few singled out sort of puffed me up for a few moments. It was sweet.

After a brief stop at the farmer's market for apples, pears and cider, it was off to breakfast at Amy's. Amy's is a place near the University that caters to students and professors and anyone who ever was one of those things. None of the plates match, patrons have drawn art on the paper placemats and they are pinned to the little cork strips in the booths. If you get there early enough, you can get breakfast for a dollar or something. They have wonderful food for the rest of the day, too. Plus, when we walk in, anyone who takes care of us says "over medium with rye, home fries, no meat, right?" Yep.

We were out early because I was going to a "doorbuster" sale at the craft store. This is not something I do. Ever. I would rather pay double than fight crowds and stand in long lines to save a few dollars. This is why we are not rich. Well, it's one of the reasons. But there was a sale on buttons. There is never a sale on buttons, I use them on my bindings. We are not talking about plastic disks with 2 holes in the middle. I have found buttons that are carved Victorian ladies, funky squares, spirals. They are wonderful for the books but they only make financial sense when they are on sale and yesterday they were 50% off and we had a coupon for 20% off the total purchase before noon. Had to go.

After I looted the button aisle, we were off to the Christmas show at St. Gregs. I have heard about this show for years, so many high-end artisan types do it. Unusual for a church bazaar venue. And this is one mama of a craft show, I have to say. 2 buildings filled with vendors and buyers. They even had kettle corn. We saw lots of people we knew, which was fun. When you go to a show as a visitor, you can actually look at stuff and talk to people. Who knew? And there were lots of people I knew would be there and some I didn't expect. I don't think the show would be a good fit for us, but it was fun to go.

By the time we got home, there was just enough time for lunch and a shower before I had to work at the theater. I have Open Studios in 5 days and I made not one thing all day. My ears are ringing from stress. A whole day lost. But it will be fine. I'm up early today. Well, I was up early then I felt the need to blog...

Because it was a day of surprises. Your name in the paper, buying apples at a market you thought had closed for the Winter, a doorbuster sale with no lines, a fellow artisan I hadn't seen for years, except in email, visiting St Gregs as I was..a busman's holiday.

Not a lost day at all. Perhaps there is no such thing.