a week of social forays

I've been out and about a few times the last week now that I'm fully vaccinated (and still wearing a mask giving Biden his 100 days though I'm noticing fewer and fewer people around here wearing them). Friday a week ago, Robin and I did some of shops. I found a flower made out of crystals for $5

and in a different store, special today only, these and two cabinet door pulls for $3 (Theresa was feeling generous I guess)

but I also saw some head scratchers like these painted oyster shells and these things whatever the hell they are, and gears, 

and this.

how long since you've seen one of these?

And apparently eye caterpillars are a thing now.

Then we went into the new candy shop (not handmade, disappointingly) with some really weird things like these sodas

(there was also a birthday cake flavor soda) and all things gummy like gummy sushi, gummy hamburger, and gummy pickle.

And what's with all the weird pickle flavored things. Just eat a pickle!

Last Saturday, we went to our first gathering since March of last year, really longer than that since it had been several months already, a birthday party for one of Marc's younger brothers who is turning 60 and not happy about it. There were brothers and sisters and cousins and nieces and nephews and kids and grandkids and friends. It was outside, all the older generation has been vaccinated at least, and it was nice to see everyone after so long. We lost three people last year, none covid related, 2 from the previous generation which leaves only Marc's mother, and one from our generation, Marc's brother-in-law and we did not attend any of the funerals.

And now my brother is in town from Washington state, staying across the street with Pam. SHARE was slow Thursday so I left early and we all went to an estate sale. Oooo, icky nasty place, some good stuff inside and out but you just didn't want to touch anything in that old smelly falling apart doublewide. I came away with four plastic pots a fairly decent size, old and will probably start to break apart in a couple of years but they only cost me a quarter each and this which I'm not really sure what it's purpose was but I'm going to use it for a plant stand.

And yesterday, Saturday, Pam and I and John did the shops in Wharton and Glen Flora. First stop the farmer's market that sets up for 6 – 8 weeks spring and fall at which there was not one single vegetable because it's still too early for people's gardens to be producing but they did have some baby ducks

and baked goods, tamales, various craft items, and honey.

One shop in Wharton is run by people who were/are collectors so a lot of their inventory comes from their own collections...elephant statues, clocks, pedal cars among other things,

and most recently marbles.

Plenty of other stuff in there too like antiques and unusual wind chimes and coins and metal painted yard art outside, the place is stuffed full of stuff.

And then Marc met us at a local restaurant for a late lunch, the first time we've eaten out in a restaurant since December 2019.

Then yesterday afternoon I went over to my daughter's place because grandgirl Autumn is in town for the weekend and had a nice visit there.

Today I guess I'm going to try and do a little work in the yard.