Laurel Flea Market

That's me in the red pullover and tan shorts - do I look like I belong?

Yesterday I received a sad and long vitriolic comment on a long ago posting I had on the Laurel Flea Market.  Sad because my original posting was a tongue in cheek posting but apparently my attempt at dry humor was lost on the commenter.  Sometimes, nuance doesn't come through on blog postings.  

Sad because I was actually extolling the virtues of the Laurel Flea Market.  I did make the point that there are two main cultures here in southern Delaware.  The "natives", that is basically the "good old Southern boys" culture.  The skinny guys almost always missing a couple of teeth, either from meth or lack of money for regular dental visits.  You takes your choice.  

Mr. Reds caught our eye - standard "uniform" - pullover, with pants down his ass   - I think they're shorts but they could also be "high water pants"

After a long diatribe, the commenter told me I was a "snob" and to "go back from where you came from."  Yeah, take my money too?  

Me on the prowl looking for that bargain - notice the rainbow umbrella - we're everywhere!

Nope, the folks you see at the Laurel Flea market are a cross section of the diverse cultures here in Sessex County.  Hispanics, old biker guys with gray, ratty pony tails and bulging beer bellies, some orientals and just maybe a smattering of "snobs" like me who are looking for a bargain or just a chance to experience life in Southern Delaware.  

I DO look out of place don't I?

Bill asked me this morning if I wanted to go to the Laurel Flea Market.  An interesting coincidence because I hadn't even mentioned the sad and hateful comment I received on my blog posting about the Laurel Flea Market.  At first I didn't want to go, not in the mood.  Then I thought "Why not?"  Today is a nice day.  Low humidity (thank God) and temperatures in the 80's.  Actually really summertime weather instead of the "someone left the oven door open" weather we've been having the past two weeks.

Wouldn't you know it.  I'm standing underneath the dresses!

So we took a ride down to Laurel.  It was packed.  Couldn't find a parking place.  I wanted to go home.  Bill wanted to stay.  I hate driving around a dusty, dirt parking lot looking for a slot.  I just know I'll get another dent in my car.  Lots of pickup trucks and dented vans at the Laurel Flea Market.

Do my pants make me look fat?

We got lucky and found a parking spot on macadam.  Only thing we were next to one of THOSE VANS with the suspicious looking characters in it.  Looked like dope dealers to me. And hold off sending me any nasty comments.  I know when someone is dealing dope.  No reason for that many young guys to be hanging around the van, going in and out the back rustling through their "paper bags."  Give me a break.

Bill and I walk around.  Interesting characters to say the least.  Of course we're interesting characters to others too.  

I bought a pink Crepe Myrtle.  I saw a Royal Doulton figurine of a lady in a gown that caught my eye.  It said "Please rescue me!"  I walked by but before I got to the end of the row I told Bill "I have to go back and see how much that cost."  I go back, pick up the delicate figurine (I could almost see a smile appear on the figurine's face) and asked the grizzled, pony-tailed biker type "How much?"  "Fifty!" he spits at me.  I gently place her back on the worn table with her trashy friends and leave without a word.  $25 ......maybe but not $50.  

Bill buys a watermelon.  Has trouble getting change.  The lady who took his $10.00 bill for the $3.00 watermelon probably "forgot" she was to give Bill change.  Bill had to chase her down then she professed not to understand what he was saying.  Bill got his change after much arm waving and shouting.  You don't short change Bill.

That's Bill on the left in the plaid shirt - fondling the watermelons

Bill said "Let's go.  I'm tired.  I had enough."

We went back to our car.  I see the dusty, white, dented van with the suspicious looking characters in the back has gone too.  Gots to keep moving fellas.  

We head home down Rt. 9 through Georgetown on this summer Saturday morning, admiring the many different colors of Crepe Myrtle trees lining our route.

We get home.  Unload our car.  Just before I go into the house I check the side panel door to see if I have a "souvenir" from the Laurel Flea Market.  Sure enough, I do.  My door now has a "Laurel Flea Market" ding with paint scraped off.  Only about an inch but enough to draw my eye to it every time in the future when I go to my car.  

I got my touch up paint out and touched it up.  I can still see where the ding was but at least my eyes won't be drawn to it every time I get into my car.  

Thus ended our Saturday Morning Adventure to the Laurel Flea Market.  Bill said "Want to go again tomorrow?"  Um.....no, one ding is enough.

My "buy" of the day, a pink crepe myrtle bush! $9.50!

Laurel Flea Market

Bill checking some of the "goods" for sale at the Laurel Flea Market this morning

Just got in from taking Bill (and myself) for a ride around southern Sussex County this morning.  The temperatures are supposed to get up to 104 degrees today so I figured if I wanted to get out today I better do it early.

We left about 8 o'clock for the car wash in Milton.  I am obsessive about keeping my buggy car clean.  I had road scum on my car from a couple of thunderstorms the past few weeks.  I had to have that film on my shiny, red Subaru.  Got that off this morning at the car wash.  With this heat, even though it was early in the morning, it didn't take too long to dry off my car.


Then, since it was still early I thought I would take a ride to the Laurel Flea Market in Laurel, Delaware which is way down at the southern end of our country.  I didn't want to drive through the circle in Georgetown so I thought I would take the "back way."  Well, you KNOW how that turned out.  We ended up going through the speed trap that is Ellendale, Delaware (no cops or ticket thank goodness even though the speed limit was 25 MPH - I felt like I could have walked faster).

After Ellendale, the road took a sharp turn to either the left or right.  I wanted to get on 13.  Delaware only has three main roads: Rt 1, Rt. 113 and Rt. 13.  The "thirteens" I always get mixed up, I don't know which one comes first.

So of course as is my predilection when faced with making a decision on directions, I took the wrong turn.  Well, to make a long story short, we ended up in the Scrapple Capital of the world, Bridgeville, Delaware, home of Rapa Scrapple.  I love scrapple, used to eat it cold and raw when I was a kid (you all should really fry it though).  I haven't eaten much scrapple since I moved to Delaware though.  I don't eat big breakfasts like I used to (only a bowl of Corn Chex with bananas or strawberries).  No more with all the fried breakfast goodies clogging up my arteries.  I passed on the scrapple this morning, even though I was in the CAPITAL.

The outside tables at the Laurel Flea Market this morning (that's Bill with the blue hat)
Not too many vendors setting up tables outside in this heat

Further on down the road we finally found Rt. 13.  South on 13 about 25 miles is the fabulous Laurel Flea Market.  Folks, the Laurel Flea Market is HUGE!  Most of the vendors are native Sussex County rednecks (a bred all to themselves folks) and our local farm labor pool and dependents, the Guatemalans. Our Little Brown People aren't Mexicans, they're from Central America.  And let me say right now, they are all hard workers and keep our economy going down here in Lower Slower.  I'm not one of these immigrant bashers.  Every day I see these men (who I don't think a one is over 5'4" tall) working in this blazing heat, working their landscaping chores for us privileged Yankees.  I go out of my development in the morning (like this morning) I see them working mowing and trimming the lawns of my neighbors.  I see them working along side the highways.  This morning I saw them at the Laurel Flea Market on their day off (for some of them anyway) with their families. Does my heart good to see these folks working on their American Dream.  I'll take them any day over the spoiled and lazy retired Washingtonians who get way too much in pension benefits and whose only concern is at what restaurant are they going to eat next? Was it really necessary for me to say the last comment?  Perhaps not but I did anyway.  Felt good.

So anyway, Bill and I meandered around the flea market looking at all that trash that these people are selling to each other.  We're soaking up the Local Flavor.  Of course we look like what we were, a couple of ass wipes slumming.

One of the inside booths:  "Bras Galore!"  - something we have absolutely no use for

We pulled into our flowered bedecked driveway a few minutes before 10 a.m., before the heavy hand of heat and humidity of the day begins to strangle us.  I refreshed the bird baths and now I'm going to make my own version of Panera Black Bean soup.  I don't plane to go out the rest of the day except to change the water in the bird baths.  This hot weather is a killer for the birds.  I look out my bedroom window and see the poor things with their beaks half open, panting for air.  I'm glad I have a lot of bushes around my house because that is where they take refuge during the height of the heat of the day.

If you're also in this heat wave, stay in a cool place.  It is dangerous out there.  I'm still dizzy from this morning's escapade.

More Ruminations on a Summer Day

Totem poles for sale at Tiki (up the road from Casa Tipton-Kelly)

Hey folks!  Haven't been blogging for a few days.  Did you notice?

Don't worry, the well hasn't run dry.  It's just that there is so much to do.  For one thing I was called into work AGAIN yesterday because my co-worker had a family emergency.  Almost every week she asks me to either switch times with her or work her shift.  I feel like a fireman, I can't plan anything because I'm always expecting a text message from her with her latest emergency.  I understand every family, and I HAVE a family too folks, has emergencies but every week?  I told my boss I would like to work at least one month just my shift.  You know, for a change, a novelty.  He wasn't to encouraging.

I don't mind filling in for my coworkers occasionally but not every week.  I have a life too.  Yep, I sure do.

I write all this knowing that my co-workers read my blog.  Maybe this needs to be said.

The weather the past few days has been absolutely gorgeous!  Man oh man, I could take this kind of weather all summer.  Won't last though.  This morning I felt the humidity creep in our coastal haven.  The heat and humidity are returning this weekend, according to the weather forecasts.  Oh I can't wait.

I work two more days then I have Friday off.  My friend Lar is coming down and we're celebrating his birthday with lunch and some Olde Time Photos.  Yep, all part of my life.

This afternoon I'm attending a viewing for the mother of a good friend of mine.  I'm out of sympathy cards again.  Every year I stock up on sympathy cards for this year's deaths.  Here it is June and I'm out already. Just another facet of being an Oldie Goldie as I am now.  Friends, former classmates, relatives, parents of friends and neighbors....all dropping off with alarming regularity.  Soon it will be my time.  Oh yes, I'm going down that road not too long in the future and I'm all right with that because I won't know anything.

My friend Lar (yes, the same one that is visiting me this Friday to celebrate his birthday) just put his parents (94 and 92 respectively) in a "care facility" or whatever they call nursing homes today.  Hey folks, I'm not going there.  First of all I can't imagine myself being in my 90's.  Then again I couldn't imagine myself in my 70's, which is where I am now.  I never thought I would make it past 60 years of age.  But here I am, an official Old Man.  Actually, it's not too bad other than when I get up in the boring everything seems to ache.  I'm not too ugly yet but getting there.  My brain is still functioning, I think my job helps keep me focused and not degenerate into dementia like my good and longtime friend Big Bob.  But 90 years old?  Can you imagine yourself at 90 and living in a living care facility?  I can't and I won't.  For one thing I'm just too damn fussy.  If I didn't die a week after I enter a nursing home someone would kill me.

So there you go folks.  Another stream of consciousness from your friend Ron.  Got that off my chest.

Have a great day!

Bill Gets His Milkshake

Bill gets his strawberry milkshake

All is quiet on this summer's eve as darkness falls upon our humble abode here in Covington Chase, Delaware.

A few minutes ago I saw our neighbor Don's garage door open.  I guess he returned from having Sunday dinner with his friends in Rehoboth.  I feel so sorry for Don every time I see him at his big house across the way.  Don's longtime partner (40 years) Al died a few months ago.  That's tough when you're an older gay man and you're no longer partnered up.  I dread the day if and when Bill departs.  I'm hoping I go first.

There's Don bouncing around that big house over there with no purpose that I can see.  Maybe he does have a purpose, none that I know of anyway.  Don is one of those people who work, work, work and has no outside interests. I wonder how he manages these days.

During these hot summer days I like to take Bill for a ride and get him a milkshake.  Last night I tried a "twofer", killing two birds with one stone.  I stopped down at Panera Bread Co. to stock up on my black bean soup and get Bill a milkshake at the same time.  Of course Panera Bread doesn't do milkshakes.  I got a strawberry smoothie instead.  When I handed it to Bill in the car he said "What's this?"  I told him it was a "smoothie, it's the same."  He said "We'll see."  Guess what folks?  It's not the same.  Bill takes one sip and looks at me and says "Well, it's cold."


I pulled out of the parking lot, and changed the subject.  Occasionally I glanced over to Bill and saw that he was sucking on the straw but he wasn't happy but he wasn't complaining either.  Finally, after he was about half done I said "Let me try it." I took a sip and guess what?  It was good!  Certainly not a milkshake but refreshing.  Sort of like a big healthy slushy.  I finished it off.

This evening, I had a couple of Find a Grave requests in Lewes.  I asked Bill if he wanted to come along.  I told him I would stop at Dairy Queen after I looked for these graves and get his milkshake.  His eyes lit up!  Just like when me and my brothers back in the Fifties after a hot day of weeding corn our father would take us to the local Tastee Freeze for a treat.  Oh my, how good were those days!  Sometimes I got a root beer float and other time I just got a big Tastee Freeze which is just soft custard.  You know, nothing much has surpassed that taste treat since then.

The line at the Dairy Queen in Lewes, DE tonight - it moved fast!

I don't like to drive into Lewes on weekends because the parking is horrendous.  Well, perhaps not horrendous but bad.  Surprisingly enough I found an easy parking slot right outside the Dairy Queen and it wasn't the handicapped spot either.

I go inside and get in line with the beach goers and await my turn.  This Dairy Queen is very well organized.  One line for the orders and you get your number which is called out.  Much like Panera Bread does.  Hey, do you think these food emporiums are finally getting it?  I think so!

I got a LARGE strawberry milkshake for Bill.  I didn't get one for myself because I had not eaten dinner yet.  I'll have my treat later tonight (strawberry shortcake).  As you can see from the photo at the top of this blog I made up for last night.  Bill is happy.  I'm happy.

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

Roadside vegetable stand - Milton, DE

Well folks, we're officially into the lazy, hazy days of summer.  I just got back from Panera Bread.  I figured it was safe to go out on Route 1 this time of evening.  The Saturday logjam of traffic was pretty well dissipated by this hour of the day.

Bill checking out our neighbors' garage sale items this morning

It was SO HOT today, that we just lazed and hazed our day around the house here today.  Some of our neighbors has a garage sale.  We are asked to participate but I just couldn't get up the enthusiasm for getting some of my junk collectibles together to put on display to possibly sell for 25 or 50 cents.  Not for me folks.

I'm trying to think of what I did today and my mind is drawing a blank.  How about this for a blog posting?  I'm coming up empty folks!

Francis Scott Key

Oh, how about this?  On Wednesday and Thursday at the hotel I checked in a couple of distinguished guests. On Wednesday it was Francis Scott Key.  You remember Francis don't you?  He wrote our national anthem, "The Stars Bungled Banner".  The one that is so hard to sing and remember the lyrics to.  The gentleman was quite a pleasure to meet.

Dolly Madison

Thursday Dolly Madison herself checked in the hotel.  I asked "Dolly" if I could take her picture.  She said "Well, I'm a bit dewey ( I think she meant she was sweaty) but alright." The heat and humidity of the past week left no one untouched folks, even the wife of the fourth president of these United States, Dolly Madison.  Seriously though folks, these fine individuals were actors in town for historical reenactments of the Lewes Historical Society.  The hotel where I work was generous enough to provide them with room and board.  That's just the kind of fine gentleman I work for.

At the top of this blog is a picture of the roadside fruit and veggie stand in Milton.  Summer doesn't officially begin for me until this stand opens.  It opened this week and I got my first ears of fresh corn.  Delicious!

I hope you're enjoying your summer as much as I am.