I live in a place where....

...my front lawn is on the busy Main Street of our village and my back lawn looks out on a century-old dairy barn and the old mill creek. 

...the bank is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 in the morning 'til 2 in the afternoon.

...the library is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and there are no library fines.

...the United Church still rings real church bells on ropes on Sunday morning.

...the post office ladies close every day for lunch.

...the best handmade ice cream in the world is made and sold within sight of my house.

...you can just give the last 4 digits of your phone number, and people know the rest from where you live.

...there are two operating dairy farms on the Main Street.

...I can buy the freshest of food at local farm markets.

...the local micro-brewery puts maple in their spring beer.

...neighbours get together to enjoy each other's company.

...we have a summer drive-in theatre, and $9.00 buys you 3 first run movies on a Saturday night.

...you can walk to the local pub at one end of the village or the award winning French restaurant at the other.

...lost dogs are walked home to their owners.

...visitors love to visit and I love to live.

I live in a place where friends meet.

I live in the village of Bloomfield, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.

When I'm not being an antique dealer.....

...I'm gardening.  I chose to consider the huge new fence on the front of our property as a challenge and have fun with it.  This is what it looked like during the summer of 2009.

Summer 2010 will see a sculpture by local artist Terry Williams gracing the garden, as part of Bloomfield's Art in Public Places program.  Can't wait!

Antique dealers are the best recyclers!

Do You Buy Antiques?

"Do you buy antiques?" That's the question that will make every antique dealer I know cringe.  How are we supposed to answer this? The immediate thought that comes to mind is, "How the heck to you THINK I get this stuff?" However, it is not polite to say this out loud.

I have a couple of answers, depending on who's asking.  If I am face to face with the questioner in my shop, I usually say brightly, "No. As a matter of fact the Antiques Fairies leave things on the front lawn each morning for me to gather up." This generally elicits a blank look, and then a slow look of understanding that I have made a funny.

Depending on my mood, I may instead confide, "No, my husband and I make them in the basement. Was there something in particular you wanted?" Again, a blank look usually ensues, and then a dawning recognition of the stupidity of the question.

Those posing the offending question are always trying to sell me something, and it is amazing how many of them "have absolutely no idea" how much money they want for the object at hand.  In this situation my answer is always the same, "I'll give you ten dollars." Doesn't matter what it is, an armoire or a bread box: "I'll give you ten dollars." From the shocked look I surmise they are thinking of a bit more cash. "Ah, so you DO have an idea how much you want!"  I find this perhaps unorthodox method saves quite a bit of time in negotiations.

That's all for now...I need to be awake early to see what the Antiques Fairies bring me tomorrow!

One year ago...

Today, I am officially a non-smoker.  One year ago today I quit smoking after more than 35 years. It was very difficult, but also sort of like letting go of a heavy cloak I wore every waking hour.  Although I resented them at the time, all the no smoking rules finally did me in:  smoking simply isn't socially acceptable any more.

So, on with the rest of life! In the coming months I'll need to focus on weight loss. Has anyone ever calculated the calorie-burning effects of refinishing furniture? It certainly takes a toll on my back, let's hope it takes a toll on my waist as well!


Spring is around the corner, and with it will come so many projects for Dead People's Stuff.  Bring 'er!


For now, I'll go to the local for 1/2 price chicken wings and start dieting tomorrow!