Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Road Trip Again!




I'm off on a
 road trip
 for a week

scouting the Midwest to see what
treasures I can find
for 
you!

Over the last 35 years in this business,
I have heard a million times,

"Ohhhh . . . you have the perrrrfect job!
That's what I want to doooo . . . ."

And
you know what?

They're right!

I DO 
have the perfect job!





I love my job.

I love traveling,
 searching,
 prowling through barns and attics . . . 
buying,

and

meeting wonderful folks
all over the country!


I love the thrill of the hunt
and
the surprise of what I might stumble
onto . . . 

Such a surge of adrenaline when I come upon some
 especially lovely item
 I never expected to find!

Pitter-Pat . . . Pitter-Pat



I love the excitement of packing my bags and loading the gear necessary for a road trip!

Trailer
totes
blankets
packing supplies
magnifying glass
M&M's
magnets
silver polish
bungees
and
a Thule
 on the top!

Hat
sunglasses
Wellies
rain gear
sunscreen
you name it - I may need it on any given journey!





I've been chased by tornadoes
swept off the road in high winds
rained out
mudded in
sunburned
barked at
chased
startled by snakes
tickled by mice
and
followed by strange men.
Or was that "tickled by strange men" ?

(Heck - I've bought antiques from some pretty strange men!)


Hi Mike - not you . . . 



There's a wonderful sense of anticipation as I set out on the road to hunt for treasure.
I have developed a network of friends and suppliers
 across the country
and
come to know a lot of wonderful folks who
share my obsession.

(Guys with 6 huge sheds full of who knows what.)
AND
I recently bought from a gentleman who'd been on the American Pickers T.V. show.


Before I leave town
I make a few calls
to determine who's got some fresh finds
and
plot my journey
accordingly.

It's pretty common for one picker to send me on to another,
so the trail can meander somewhat . . . 
but it's all good.
I may find things at auction or in someone's barn or attic.
There may be some farm sales
or
flea markets
or
junk shops.
You name it, I've shopped it.





There is a kinship among the group
and
I find I can be invited home to supper
or to share a glass of iced tea on the porch
as likely as not.
We may sit late and swap lies
or
keep on prowling by the light of a lantern.
It's always fun.


This trip is extra special
because my daughter 
Kellie
(who is my new partner)
is joining me on the trip.

We'll enjoy the camaraderie
and
kinship
as well as
the
journey!


I'll be back next week with a big truckload 
of sweet antiques for you to see
so
stay tuned!

I never know what I'll find.
I may head out with a desire for French Country
 or primitives
but find instead that I come upon a wealth of industrial chic
or
Italian Florentine and crystal chandeliers!



As the saying goes . . . 
"The worst day antiquing is better than the best day working!"

1 comment:

  1. Good luck on the hunt, I can't wait to see what goodies you come up with!

    ~Shanon

    ReplyDelete

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