9/11 what can we say about this day in history.. i can tell u were i was.. is there anyone who can not.. madeline was 3.. watching good morning america as always at the time.. the news flash a plane had hit one of the twin towers.. and as i watched, i immediately new... this was terrorism .. and clearly i was right as 20 minutes later, another jet flew into the other tower.. how is it i feel so sad, 9 years later.. such a turning point in history..

as then, that magnificent morning the skies ever so blue..today i look out my window over looking this lovely little marina, the skies equally blue, the sun hot on my arm.. as i write..

we were in long island at the time, at battle row campground, where we'd stayed many years.. that tuesday, i believe it was, the little art show the weekend to come was canceled, i was livid they would cave into terrorism. a short while later the airports were all shut down.. we spend every out door moment never hearing the sounds of jets far above in the great blue skies, just a hum we don't register.. on that day i heard silence, the kind of silence heard before we took to the skies.. every sound of the trees rustling clearer, the insects, even a bird in flight could be heard, in this strange silence.. and when we heard one last plane to land in Hickville small airport near by, a panic.. what was that plane up to? I went into survival mode..fill the rv tank with water, get to the grocery store for supplies.. more water, canned goods, like preparing for a hurricane batteries.. just incase.. and a wonder should we stay or leave, well there would be no leaving as we could not pass over any of the bridges, with a large unit like the travel trailer, as it turned out at least 10 days.. i remember the following weekend would be the oyster festival.. in ct, where i sit this morning.. later that week or the next, before norwalk president Bush told the public, get out there, shop!! spend that money, and so did the American public listen!! and our sales here in norwalk were through the roof, and for every show there after..

I honor those lost this morning as i turn my television on for the first time in a year, for the reading of the names, of the lost, all strangers to me, but fellow human beings, all in the great city of Manhattan, on that fateful day.. and to those in washington, and those so brave on the flight that went down in pennsylvania.. I certainly will never forget.. and i think we all have an empty place in our hearts.. for the grief so many still feel.. all these years later, still fresh in our minds.. like yesterday.. as i see over and over again, family members read the names, and then remember their loved one, with tears still fresh in there eyes..

god bless each of these family members, the children who will never know a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle.. there is not a day that goes by, one says that we don't think of u miss u, love u.. I know this feeling as i remember deciding today, a year ago, to drive to l.a to see my mom as she would leave us to, too soon.. no comparison, just the deep feeling of a loss, that i identify with.. and the daily moment each day that creeps up, wells my eyes with tears, if just for a moment.. to then get a grip, and move on.. a smile on my face as i embark on yet another day, filled with life, laughter, adventure, love and friendships, all treasured that much more.. knowing we r not promised tomorrow, so live it up today!!!

and with the challenges i face this weekend, to be addressed in a blog to follow.. i will fake it till i make it.. put my best foot forward and make the best of a bad situation, with this idiot show, the people who run it and the competitors who stole a fair share of my income last night, and will undoubtedly take a fair share the next 2 long days and nights..

Andrea
and crew.. my blessings.. amen

Here i am in Norwalk, ct.. where i've come for sum years. This has been one of the shows i so looked forward to .. and this year everything is different..

i arrived to en empty parking lot.. got here the day before in hopes to get my coveted spot to park the motor home, as in years past it would take a miracle to have this lovely spot where i am parked, alone... not an rv near, just up the way yet the only other..where years past it was crowded with artisans in rv's

my view, i so look forward to, of this little marina, as the sun has set, the lights, upon the dock, glowing refection, from wide to narrow pointing at me.. The late day wind subsided.. there's a huge house, or what once was, over looking the harbor/marina, i have always had a fashionation with, there are always people there, but it doesn't look like a restaurant, if i could i would just go over there, dressed nicely, and check the whole thing out.. i have always wanted to do that..

my mom would have.. but have never been able to.. boo hoo

as i sit to listen to madeline reading willy wonka to Andres , suddenly more motivated to read to him , only since Tedric the house mouse.. what a wonderful inspiration..not just the joy of reading a charming story to ones little brother, but the joy of reading .. to ur little brother..

as i went to meet with pauline (perals of) who has spent 30 years directing crafters to their spaces she gave me her history, directing if u will.. and it's dynamic changes through the years to now.. a full circle if u will..

from moms and crafty ladies, a extra income, to the spouse chimming in, it's business potenial, a worth while endeavor, enough to quit ones job for, now again, a supplemental income.. insuranance... a drive back.. he to 9-5, she to the show, that extra income, with flexible hours, to mind the children..

and i ask, oh where do i fit into this picture.. still a better income to what a high school degree can bring minus the insurance.. of which there is naturally none.. I haven't worked for anyone since i was 22.. anyone but me.. more a slave driver than most jobs, yet i am my best boss.. whom i so look forward to greeting first thing in the morning and each night as i put my head down upon my pillow… time with the crew, no conventional job would allow.. a time card oh what a wicked word.. can hardly imagine..ewwwww..

and as i started writing last night .. in the cloudy night sky no stars and awake to a thick layer of high cirrus.. no wind or rain.. and in the near distance rides still being assembled.. for the long weekend ahead.. where the majority of money will go this weekend.. ah but u never know, Up Your Ear, fits into a many budget..

so with that, i , with the few crafters left, to make a show of, in that department, a surer chance to grab that coveted dollar, less crafters, less pie to share, we should fair alright, i am sure.. though at this time i feel, this will be my fairwell song to norwalk.. what a wonderful show, it had been for so many.. now the last few.. to see it to the end..

last year on this very weekend, at saturdays close madeline and i , sat at our little table, that late night and made the decision to see grandma Root, to drive across the nation, and change our lives, unknowingly, today the eve before such a magnanimous changed, only yesterday we were reached out to, via Skype, by all her new friends in L.A. what a year.. and how fortunate we have been.. friends from sea to shinning sea.. can we ask any more of life? a little security would be nice, but the not knowing has it's thrill, like the rides out side my window.. that rush in your stomach, as we take it one day at a time.. may the ride never stop!! over too soon even at 80.. to my mom, who's birthday approaches, who lived the ride more than most..

and to those of us still on it, hold on tight.. keep your eyes open.. as the ferris wheel reaches the top the view is so spectacular!!

have a wonderful day, as my morning has been, in just the brief time, i have been up, it is already another great day.. with the bright morning sunshine, all ours..

Andrea and Crew

with much love,

from Norwalk..

It is monday morning , we sit in the now abandoned field where only yesterday it was bustling with shoppers, and booths set up all around my coach.. sitting here, i now can see all the field, the workers out cleaning up blown papers and trash, a few venders still packing up there remaining goods, in the harsh morning light.. the air cool as though mother nature is on schedule, preparing for the fall... as she does.. each year..

i think about the thrill of saturday.. the rush as i was so busy.. the reunion of friends and customers, and then the low of sunday, as i had to say yet another good bye, to the familiar place and faces.. it some how took hold at late eve.. this hole in my heart..as this trip, i know comes to an end, though weeks away, yet seemingly around the corner, knowing how quickly time passes..

I so start to mentally prepare.. for the next leg of this journey, norwalk, ct.. new york, long island, then virginia beach, maryland, and finally in.. alabama.. gulf shores.. then a pit stop in colorado, and onto L.A. but that's still down the road, for now i should pack up my shit and get going to Sara's where i'm cooking today.. i'd like to pick up some of those inexpensive lobsters just one more time as it is surely the last time i will have one, for a long, long time to come..

so many thoughts to culminate, as i try to absorb my most interesting summer.. our new friends, and old friendships, cultivated..

unlike any other year.. i have learned so much.. about myself.. and a little secret.. i have a lot more to learn!! while finding comfort in just being me..

the crew had such a nice weekend.. we all found treasures at stormville.. and not just the star like ones but the tangible, a lego watch, cowboy boots for andres, shoes for school, note books, t-shirts the Abercrombie, aeropostale, american eagle, and cherry sticks girls, who ever heard of them.. at a whopping $5. each!! oh and those cheep belts, and a denim jacket, a sample.. in just my size, tiny.. and a pair of shoes that should really be worn with undergarments alone!!! as though i'd have a call for that! but one can only hope!! too funny!! .. well Up Your Ear!!

and onwards i go.. through the 85 pound generator in the basement of the coach and get a going here..

Love andrea and crew!!