(re-run)
I am in Monterey County, which is known for its June Gloom. I woke up to fog and had no desire to pull weeds in the dampness. Since there was no Zoom Zumba this morning, I seized the day, deciding before breakfast to go thrifting in Carmel.
I hadn’t been there for a few months. There were no big sales, but what the heck, a person can’t work all day long. She has to have some fun, too.
Thrifting is my cheap habit. I can buy 8 things and have them ring up for under twenty bucks. Where else can a person do that?
And it’s good stuff, useful stuff, stuff that would’ve cost a lot more if it was attached to carboard with a bar code on it instead of little square sticker with a hand-written price.
Today’s treasures:
seven tiny picture frames (for my Marilyn Monroe project)
a kid book in Portuguese (I think)
a book for my mom to read to my sis
a sweater with Pugs on it
two vintage handkerchiefs, no holes
two dog bandannas
a jar of buttons
assorted sewing notions
twenty-one 45-speed records from familiar 60s artists
a pair of elastic waist jeans for Sis ($2.00!)
a never-used scrapbook with plastic inserts (for Sis)
some never-used large white doilies, one package marked $1.50, another marked 50 cents
some frameable matted art from an art museum
the DVD, Mama Mia
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
a kid book about the White House (I am writing one, as well).
I visited six thrift stores and never spent over $20 at any. I walked through one and bought nothing. Another one I spent $2.00. Another one I spent $3.25. The last one with all the frames was $10.36.
While in Carmel, it’s as much fun to people-watch as it is to shop. Some things I heard today:
“The sun didn’t last very long, did it?”
“I am done with masks. 13 more days or not, I am done.” – worker in book thrift store
“Sir, please pull your mask up.” — cashier at CVS
“And here’s a fancy shopping bag from Macy’s for you.” –old guy working the register at the Yellow Brick Road.
“I’d sell it for $3000.” — manager at the pet rescue thrift store regarding the dresser in photo.
Then I deposited a check at B of A since my town’s B of A is closed and closing for good. People are doing banking online, I guess.
I got home in time to walk one dog and play fetch with the other, write the first draft of this post, and make my lunch for a 2:30 seating.
Still no sunshine.
The weeds will just have to wait.
As a side note, I passed the intersection of Highway 1 and Carmel Valley Road twice, where three young men died in an alcohol-related car accident this past month, and another young woman also was struck and killed after a small fender bender. Why was she standing in the middle of the highway?
Everyone is eager to get back to real life after the pandemic. But please, pay attention to what you are doing.
I mean, seriously.
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 