The Birds and the Bees and the Flowers and the Trees

I made myself sick last night going to the arts festival. I was already tired by the time I walked into town. The festival was well attended and the streets were crowded. I was surprised that there were that many people still around. Usually in college towns, especially SEC towns, the town empties out during semester breaks. But somehow there were still enough people around to fill the streets and restaurants and bars. 

The music was good. College towns always have good local bands with their own material. I didn't see any Elvis or Temptations impersonators, like you get in most small towns. It was college kids who write their own songs. 

The vendor selection was exceptional. I walked through a few times before deciding what I would spend my money on. I bought some locally sourced honey, which was a given for me, and some smoked pepper jack cheese. But my choice of art came down to a photograph of the town my parents grew up in, taken the year my dad was a senior in high school, or a hand thrown tea mug. The bluebird on the mug just makes me happy. The picture guy will probably be back for other festivals. When I got the mug home I was shocked at myself. I just spent $20 on one tea mug, do I think I'm rich? But I have a tea mug that makes me happy just to look at it. And the couple who sold it to me were so nice. They seemed genuinely glad to sell it to someone who really liked it.

I met a couple of ladies from the beautification society. They were really nice too. They gave me a pack of wildflower seeds and a brochure about their club. They provide and take care of the hanging baskets of flowers that adorn the streets downtown. They want to expand their territory to the whole town. They meet once a month at the arts center across the street from my apartments, so I have decided to join them. Hopefully a few friendships will come out of it and I will get to help with something that I am interested in. 

I grew exhausted before I even left the festival and had to stop a few times on the less than a mile walk home. By the time I got to my apartment I was sick and in pain. I sat on my couch for a long time afterward. I needed to eat dinner. I had planned to eat while I was in town, but I knew that I was getting to the end of my spoons. After a while I gathered enough energy to get a hot shower and a bowl of soup. That made me feel better, but I still was in bed before 10:00 pm, as if I was an old woman...shoe fits, right?

I felt better this morning, but decided to give myself a day of rest. I have done little besides read and eat and nap today. And the tea mug still makes me happy just to look at it.