My last show in Florida was a nice way to go out--temps in the mid 80's and a small but nice crowd at the Winthrop Art Festival. The show was much smaller in size artist wise too--mainly due to a late start in finalizing the dates when the Rotary dropped out. Maybe next year it will be better--and maybe fine craft will once again mean handmade crafts and NOT buy/sell jewelry, flip flops and China imports. I am ever hopeful.
A Flowering Crab Apple tree in my parent's backyard.
One of my favorite artist, glassblower Jay, told me about three shows in March that I will try to get into next year. They all have a high percentage of true artists--so we don't have compete with buy/sell items and the customer is treated to a culteral experience and not a flea market.
On Saturday May 7th, Bonnie and I got an early start on the trip to Illinois. We had a very uneventful trip I am happy to report. Traffic was flowing courteously, rest stops appeared just as my bladder was hinting at fullness and Bonnie Dog was basically well mannered.
We stopped in Clarkesville Tennessee at a non-descript hotel--and were immediately disappointed with the room ammenities. It was not pretty, but, the TV picked up the Kentucky Derby--so I was happy. I got a little more cheerful when I saw the bathroom--it was awesome! I think they are remodeling--bathrooms first. I got downright giddy later in the evening when I laid down on what looked to be a dumpy mattress--and was surprised with how comfortable it really was! We had a good night's sleep and hit the road for the final push to Rockford.
We made it again with no real delays but with rising gas prices. Once we hit Illinois the gas taxes must have exploded. We went from $3.89 to well over $4 a gallon. I filled up at $4.19 and for the first time ever put over $70 in my gas tank. OUCH!
My parent's yard was just starting to bloom like crazy. The lilacs were opening and the flowering crab apple made it's here-today-gone-tomorrow appearance. I bought Mom a hanging basket for Mother's Day and she started here purchases to fill her planters and whiskey barrels. Hopefully we can get those all in the ground over the next week!
The Purple Lilacs--almost ready to flower!
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