SKAMOKAWA FLEA MARKET

This afternoon I went to a flea market in a neighboring county.

I used to spend a lot of time at the Skamokawa Grange: there are happy memories connected to that place.

Skamokawa from Heron Pointe - 29 minutes.

But I wasn’t happy this afternoon – the place has been allowed to fall into disrepair. It was surrounded by tall grass that hadn’t seen a lawn mower in years … and it stunk with forlorn abandonment. By the smell that assailed me as I cleared the threshold, it had not been used in a very long time. I had a raging migraine (even my teeth hurt) from the damp odor by the time I paid for my small purchase, and left.

After I gave my “donation” and escaped into rain driven fresh air, I hopped over to the Duck Inn to have a sandwich lunch.

Skamokawa flea market purchases.

I knew, before leaving home that I would eat at the Duck Inn.

I also knew that I am getting tired of staring at an empty seat across from me in restaurants … and watching couples eating/chatting together – it’s not a jealousy thing: I just miss my ‘someone special’. I’m glad for the couples that have each other, but I do miss my man.

So, before I left home, I grabbed the paperback I have been reading.

It would be a good distraction while waiting for my sandwich.

And it is a good story 😉

I've officially become one of the 'Lonely Hearts' ... reading while restaurant eating.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl_DiHJpLzM)

I ordered a Reuben sandwich; I haven’t had one in a while, and it {fit} the rainy atmosphere 😊.

A Rueben sandwich for lunch.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day.

Tomorrow it will be rainy, also.

I’ll probably stay home and vegetate.

SHOULD-WOULD-COULD-DID!

I was awake at 3:45 AM, laid in bed until 5:45 AM debating with myself whether to get up or not: I got up. I wanted to be on the road by at least 8 AM.

I drank a cup of coffee; and listened to the cheerful birdsong outside my windows.

The sky was just starting to lighten up with dawn’s breaking.

The Park was quiet; only 1 car drove past the house.

These are the early hours of a new day that Bob liked to enjoy: I am starting to enjoy these early mornings, too – it is still strange to have my sleep/wake hours so totally switched around – but I’m getting used to it.

I checked my FB Page & my Blog Page (both were quiet: no one active) … then washed my hair and hit the road.

I hit the road with a sense of adventure.

The other day someone asked me for directions to Adna’s Floral Sales, and I had to look the actual physical address up – I rely totally on landmarks … so my directions go like this: take Westside highway to Vader, hang a right after the Little Crane Restuartant. Drive through Winlock-Evaline-and Napavine until you see Frosty’s on the right – hang a left just past Frosty’s …; my directions have people’s eyes glazing over: most people want a cut-n-dried address (so I googled it). While studying the mapping, I spotted a cut-off road at Evaline.

So, I went to bed last night knowing I’d try something new this morning 😉

Neither Bob, nor I, had ever driven this road. 

It was something new, dovetailing something old. 

New adventure! Pleasant Valley Road should drop me at Bunker Creek Rd.

Delameter Road from Heron Pointe - 16 mins.

Winlock from Delameter via Westside Hwy & Vader - 31 mins.

Evaline from Winlock - 6 mins.

And I hadn’t written the road names down (I would be taking 2 new roads today to get to Adna). I was relying totally on what I had seen on the google map.

And you know what?

I wasn’t even nervous! 

I was excited😊 

I was being bold 😉

I was being the old me – the me I was before Bob came into my life; and changed he and me to WE. And a baby 9 months later made me view life with caution. I was no longer a free agent. I had responsibilities that curbed my boldness.

But, now I am only ME again.

So, this morning, my curiosity sparked the embers of that old boldness.

I laughed out loud when I hung that left at Evaline.

And Buffy St. Marie’s song ran through my thoughts: “I’m cutting my own way through my own day/and all I dare say, is, it’s my own …”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnKlBesHYQQ) 

I’m more ‘in the present’ this year. 

I’m actively moving forward, and stretching the boundaries of my comfort zone.

I’m getting more competent with the GPS.

I’m getting bolder with new experiences.

I’m encouraging my gypsy bone.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi2hD4sNat4)

Twin Oaks Road from Evaline; off Pleasant valley Road from Evaline - 11 mins.

Adna Floral Sales from Twin Oaks Road, Chehalis - 5 mins.

Narrow rural road - but this may be the way I go next year.

Stayed on budget this year; and a BIG SCORE with the Church Birdhouse!

This is going to be a year of new experiences; deliberate decision.

After I settled up with the cashier, and settled my boxed plants in the Highlander’s back end; I drove the loop drive from Adna through Chehalis; along Jackson Highway – and along Bond Road – over Lone Oak and down Old Pacific Highway … back home.

Jackson Hwy from Chehalis via WA-6 & Jackson Hwy - 22 mins.

Toledo South Park from Jackson Cabin, Jackson Hwy, Chehalis - 15 mins.

Paradise Cove from Toledo South Park - 14 mins.

Castle Rock Chevron from Paradise Cove - 5 mins.

Ostrander Grocery Store from Castle Rock Chevron via Bond Road - 11 mins.

Quick Shop Minit Mart from Ostrander Grocery Store - 2 mins.

Lone Oak Road from Quick Shop Minit Mart - 10 minutes.

Heron Pointe from Lone Oak Road - 8 minutes.

There were 2 other highways I noted this afternoon that I want to explore. I’ll look them up online and make a note to figure them in at some point this year.

As soon as I parked in the carport and unloaded the car, I started potting up some of the flowers I bought earlier.

I was in the middle of my activity when the phone rang and I was invited to Supper with friends. I would have enjoyed that … but I was covered with potting soil; and I really was running out of steam. I was literally yawning while scooping potting soil into pots and arranging colorful flowers in various pots. So, I begged off, and promised to have Supper with them later next week (they know tomorrow is Shabbat; and I am claiming my 3-day down time).

After I said goodbye, I finished up my potting activity: and hung the WHY Traps (1 in the carport; 1 in the Maple tree).

Trailing Cherry tomatoes; I have the Roma tomato plant and the Stupice tomato plant inside until they get a little taller.

MOD flower basket with some of the flowers I bought today.

Apeldoorn tulips opening wider ...

Grape Hyacinths & blossoms budding on the apple trees.

Yellow Parrot Tulips opening up.

MOD flower pot for the front porch.

MOD flower basket for the carport; some of the flowers I bought today.

I made 2 up; placed one at the street end of the carport.

Yellow Begonia in forefront; MOD flower basket, & WHY traps set in place.

Man! 

I am beat!

Today was a very early morning, and long day.

Tomorrow, if I’m up to it, I’ll start turning over the soil in the garden boxes (and figuring out what to do with the surplus of leftover flowers) before Shabbat kicks in 😉