This post is in response to the Just Write Campaign that’s going on over at Beauty For Ashes. This daily writing exercise focuses on a new word, just one word, that is pulled from a jar of words, written on paper, each day. This wonderfully talented, unusually authentic, hysterically clever, Mary Katherine Tyson is the woman whom I claimed as family almost immediately after meeting her, through her blog; because, well, I have always wanted a brave little sistah, just like MK, to call my very own, so I do.  I  call her my own, whether she likes it or not. I’ve received more than just adopting the little sister that I’ve always wanted, though. I’ve received friendship from  a woman whom I admire; and, as an added bonus, she’s quirky enough to believe I’m normal, just as normal as she.

You should hop over, and introduce yourself to MK and while you’re there, Just Write.

The Word Is Joy. Wurd!

I have to tell you about an experience I had last week that unexpectedly connected some pieces of my past to… who I am.

I want to bore you  tell you about it because something really significant was created because of it.

But I have to tell you in parts…in order of how it came to me.

So, here’s…

Part One. 

 Bright colors, bold patterns and whimsical flowers, painted on everything, from our clothing to those abandoned bunkers, on the beach in Galveston that the hippies turned into housing; those wild prints are just part, of what was wonderful, about growing up in the late 60′s and 70′s.

 I can not remember a single home from my childhood that was decorated from a neutral palette and I will always remember; the day that the new carpet was installed in my parents bedroom; wall to wall in lemon yellow–so mod!

During the lemon yellow carpet era, there was also a chandelier; it hung above the glass table in the breakfast nook and I loved it! In fact, I’d be tempted to trade one bossy ShihTzu to have it hanging in my home, today! 

(kidding. Just kidding, Muffyface)

So, last week, when I was sorting through some vintage treasures, deciding which, would become part of the Sugar Britches inventory,

I ran across a couple of dinnerware collections that I inherited.

One, is from my mother who, I’m thankful, is quite lively and the other, is from my paternal grandmother, who is now deceased.

I really adore special tableware. 

Plates, glasses, cups, saucers, platters, flatware; I love them all. When they’re mis-matched, I love them more!!

Here’s where the first connection was made…

Family values, just like family valuables; are passed down, from generation to generation. 

Some value systems are intentionally and ceremoniously passed down in the way that family valuables and heirlooms are bequeathed;some are passed down and received, without pomp or circumstance; maybe, even, without words. Regardless of how ceremonial; valuables, values and priorities, are all handed down, and they are what the next generation will consider to be valuable and will guide the next generation, as they decide what has no value. This is how it is done; whether they realize it, or not. 

Until, someone along the line, intentionally examines it, finds it to be outdated or outlawed and then rejects the old value system and replaces it with another.

Before the first grade I was taught to read and write and coordinate an outfit with cute shoes. I also knew how to set a table correctly before I began the first grade. Before I graduated from high school I was confidently creative in decorating and I had begun to develop my own style.

The style was mine; but the rules of style (as in, what’s in good taste and what’s not)…the rules of style, were handed down from my mother and my grandmother and they were non-negotiable; as was, the correct placement of salad and dessert forks.

Are you with me?

Try to contain your excitement.  Tomorrow, I’ll be back, with part 2.

I stumbled across this drawing by Mike Baker while I was searching for an example of a french stencil today. I’m not sure how the french stencil relates to the drawing of our lady here but when I saw her there was an  immediate connection. We are kindred spirits.

Her name is…Oh, never-mind, I’ll just cut and paste Mr. Baker’s description for you:

Minnie “Boom-Boom” Mahoony was the world’s greatest juggling, sword – swallowing, tight – rope – walking, daredevil of the 1890s.

She was also known to wrestle gators and climb skyscrapers. Rumor had it that she studied under Houdini, learned martial arts in Peking, and worked as a spy for the U.S. government. While flying biplanes in WWI, she disappeared somewhere over the Bermuda Triangle.

And there it is...my life in cartoon-illustration.

Since the Sugar Britches grand opening June 2nd  I’ve been preparing for the next market.

I’ve been juggling the swords repair, reupholster and repaint of various pieces of flea market furniture and drawing a few sketches of my own– that’s how I decided to adorn the walls of the Sugar Britches building on my worn-so-thin – hope-it-holds-together shoe-string budget.

I’m also hoping they’ll draw the buyers’ attention to the vintage frames I’ve repaired, re-stained, and repainted.

Let’s see… Oh! I spent one  Saturday afternoon wrestling Pink Flamingos on The Mountain and negotiating with a hot, thirsty and tired second grader for one more costume change before she went on strike like the top model she could be… if she wanted to be a top model, that is.

 That photo shoot was well worth the time it took to fight off  the wild Pink Flamingos.

  (they always try to hog the spotlight, ya know)

 It really was a beautiful view of a mother and daughter relationship–I wish everyone understood the    responsibility of parenting through that lens.

Last but not least, I’m trying I will leap one more building in a single bound and be all set up by July 27th for the first ReThink Point event ever to be held on The Mountain in Canton, Texas.

Seriously, I could not be more excited about this event or about the overall purpose of ReThink Point events.  Please follow the blog for ReThink Point events if you have any interest in retreats that will help you stay far, far, away from your breaking point.

There are only 100 spots available for the July event.  If you’d like to attend with a group of 5 or more, send me an email and I’ll give you a rate so delicious you’ll think it’s your birthday!

The dates for the next Canton market are June 30 through July 3.  Of course it will be hot outside but the deals on The Mountain will be hotter.

Book a room at the The Mardi Gras (the coolest Bed and Bath on The Mountain) and enjoy the luxury of opening a cold one and putting your feet up anytime you feel the urge!

So, dearest reader… if there’s any hope that I’ll be able to keep all these swords in the air I must get back to business now.

Watch out for wild Flamingos and I’ll see you on The Mountain~

xoxo,

Boom-Boom

It’s a week for momentous occasions…

Sugar Britches opens on The Mountain in Canton, Texas on Thursday.  The famous First Monday Trade Days is open every month on Thursday-Sunday before the first Monday of the month. First Monday attracts shoppers from all over the nation. Oh, and today, is the first day, of the last year, of my forties.

Happy Birthday to me.