Actually, it was the Friday before the 1st Monday, and we left earlier than usual, arriving around 9:30—and people had already taken all the parking spots we have usually occupied the past many years. I thought that I could slip in next to the red pick-up truck down by the creek beside the Civic Center, but some new parking attendant motioned me back several rows closer to the entry road and “cut us no slack” when my wife asked if we could change spots! We knew we were in for a “crowd” like the standard first of April crowds prepandemic!
We walked briskly to the Civic Center, because it was cooler than we had expected, and the wind was gusty—and we had to make a “pit stop.” We “never” shop the Center first, but I had already purchased some old Topps Baseball Cards by the time we looked quickly around and headed to our favorite area of the “Trade Grounds”—the UNRESERVED section, where the real treasures are to be had for the close looking.
Since I am OLD, and Vivian is approaching that time of life, we have both vowed to divest our estate of much of our “treasure store,” so that the “Sons” won’t be burdened with feeling guilty when we die and they give our valuable stuff away! HOWEVER, despite “just going to look” and maybe purchase a few things we really needed, we “fudged” just a “tad.”
I am a “soda bottle” collector and had my eyes upon a nice complete case of 1960s or so Dr. Pepper 10—2—4 bottles in great shape. And, I found the final “Squirt” bottle I needed for my “set,” but I resisted and came home without either! However, I couldn’t resist a couple other bottles I had never seen before, and somehow, an “ancient” 4-sized lug wrench and an old nutcracker and a snuff glass and a license plate and even a miniature Mt. Pleasant Tigers baseball bat all found their ways into my “tote” sack! Oh, and I made a great deal on two Peace Silver Dollars—1922 and 1924!
We had stopped at McDonald’s for sustenance on the way and sipped our sodas for awhile, but after a good amount of walking, my wife said, “I think that “pig skins/ pork rinds place is pretty close.” She was right and soon had a large bag from which to munch for awhile and then to take home for snacks the next few days. (They smell so good, and are tasty, but they make me “wheeze” if I eat very many, and they make me drink too many sodas—so I tempered my enthusiasm!)
The place was pretty crowded but orderly, and folks were so polite and helpful, I couldn’t help but wonder why everyone can’t just be like Texans and their friends and relatives at 1st Monday in Canton.
We journeyed across the creek that separates the two booth areas and began looking at the bigger items. I found a “claw-foot” bath-tub that was about a foot shorter than a normal small one, and we decided that could go into our “tiny home” when we sell the “2.2 piece of paradise” where we now live. Vivian found a nice set of old metal patio chairs and settees and also many pretty plants, along with glassware and baskets and cabinets and other essentials—that we left—so that we could come back and get them when we are ready to move.
But, she did buy some heart-shaped “trinket” boxes, a big bowl that matched some little “heirloom” bowls that belonged to her Mom, a bluebonnet glass for her Texas Collection, and Pampered Chef Christmas gifts. (Viv had told the “girls” she would get them if and when we went to Canton.) My wife bought fewer things than did I and spent quite a bit less! She’s a GOOD WOMAN!
We checked our phones (few watches anymore these days!) and knew it was time to start our journey home, because we needed to be sure we allowed enough time to eat, rest a little, and then attend the Good Friday Worship Service at Water of Life Lutheran back in Forney.
We usually eat at our favorite place in Canton, Ochoa’s Mexican Food, but we had just dined at Rio Lerma in Forney Wednesday night and opted to stop along the way home……and then decided to order chopped beef sandwiches and mac & cheese and baked beans by phone from Stiky Ribz and pick it all up to eat at “home, sweet, home,” which we did as we looked over our “haul” from Canton and vowed never again to go back and buy a “bunch of stuff” that our Boys will not need!
My wife asked me, “Do you think we will stay true to our vows?”
I answered, “Yes, for a month or two!”
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