friday flea.

i spent an overdue afternoon at the flea market today

at the fairgrounds, only a mile or so from my house

...and it did my lil gypsy heart good.

something about seeing those buildings named "rabbit barn" and "steer shelter"

made it feel right in the world.

i was with my favorite gals

and we didn't have a time limit, had a short list and a some cash to spend.

we had on our workout clothes, hats and scarves

hadn't showered, come straight from the gym.

i love the characters that run the booths

they are like the flea market version of 

carnies.

one guy had been setting up since wednesday

sleeping in his van
{in the freezing cold}

another smoked no less than 4 cigarettes

told double the amount of silly jokes

that he'll surely repeat and deliver as if it was the first time

over the course of the weekend.

then there was pat. who lindsay knows from her everyday work.

he "picks" for celebrities, designers and shops

i wanted to freeze time and take him to my front porch

to talk. to pick his brain. to hear his stories. gather his secrets.

i am so completely intrigued by him. he had my favorite booth there

by far.

i overheard a grandmother proudly pep talking her 7-ish year old grandson 

about what the market was all about.

and i grinned when i heard her encourge him to ask the booth owners

if they'd seen any 

fleas.

we got some really cool finds.

quirky, interesting.

investment pieces. pieces that add another layer, another story

to this house we

love.

these beauts were one of my

jewels 

from the day

talk about a story they must have.

they are 1970's, at least.

worn suede. nontraditional embroidery.

wrangler

boots.

and. im. in love.

thirty dollars. 

 

it's the people. the spirit. the adrenaline, the haggling,

the thrill.

we took turns carrying a giant vintage suitcase alex bought

holding all of our finds.

we took our time, went back and pondered and talked ourselves and eachother

into and out of buying

things we couldn't pass up or were taking a chance on.

it's the simplicity, the friends, the flexibility of an open friday afternoon

overdue, much needed, 

food & thrill to this ole gypsy heart o' mine.

*note: alex also became famous because of said, trip.  she tweeted about our day, tagged Mike from American Pickers, and replied to her within minutes.  i wish i coulda bottled up her excitement.