It is a sunny morning, in rochester, high cirrus, whitening the sky, quite different from the Maxfield Parish blue sky at sunset last nite. In the parking lot of an iceskating rink we've stayed in over the last 8 years, for the art show in Cornhill. The weekends weather was outstanding, compared to the full on rain we'd incurred last summer. 80 degrees nearly no humidity, under the shade of the tree where my booth has been for 4 of the 8 yrs i've sold here. The crowd was lighter than in years past, a sign of the times, as we all wonder, is this it, is this kind prospecting for gold over, like the days in california, during the gold rush. suddenly towns closed up and left ghosts behind. I see main streets, with empty stores, signs for lease, just the beginnings of ghost towns of our futures. sounds dim. but it is a coarse, and when one door closes, another opens...

I've found that in my experience it has always been tricky as one passes through, but once through it, it has always been by far better than what was left on the other side. so we can only hope that this too shall to be for best.

surrounded by artists, i find less of them have an exit plan, many r not really artists, and r looking to figure out what it is they can create that will sell, in this currant environment as we all buckle down to spending less as do the customers. selling things that people don't need, I sold one necklace, and bracelet to one of those customers from days past, evidently there's at least one out there, i'd originally asked $225. and was happy to find it a home for $145. and a bracelet once $135. for $95. and was glad to have it. what was once icing on the cake, is now the boost that helped keep the days sales in check. sold earrings, but just one to each person that, was up for the parting of $$, where once they would have likely done all their christmas shopping, at Up Your Ear. past out a lot less cards, of the 5000 I'm prepared to part with this year. often 200. now maybe 1/2.

I had the privilege of visiting with friends i parted with, now a year. loved ones whom over the years became family. Hugs and kisses, embraces hard to let go. as so many have kept up with our lives and it's sudden changes in so short a time. The brave, one might say, exit from a marriage, filled with negativity, no hope. and my mothers illness, taking from us, her presence, in the physical form. A privilege i could have never known had i not just up and left it all behind, and driven out to california, where i still have to get used to calling home, after staying on. to find a new future.

Plans of art projects, i've put off for a life time, will be my exit plan, have many ideas but have a sure focus on one I've always wanted to do. and now, with the grace of god, i hope to persue when L.A i return.

Till more thoughts manifest i bid u all a good day...

with all our love, and wishes for a profitable summer, in love and $$.. (:

Andrea and Crew