Monday, February 25, 2013

Buttons

I couldn't believe this when I saw it. A jar of Haunted Buttons. I thought I was the only one that was scared of, repulsed by and fascinated by a jar of buttons. I am a sewer and have been making clothing since I took home ec in high school so how can I be afraid of a jar of buttons. I have a vivid memory of sitting on the stairs going down to the basement in my childhood home and staring around the corner to my Mother's sewing area and that big jar of buttons. I must have been about five or six at the time. I don't know why they bothered me but a jar of buttons can still do it to me. In my adult life I have very rarely worn anything with buttons on it. No button down shirts, it's always been pull-overs for me.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Tucson.....

What to do... What to do............ You can find any size of almost any mineral here, from amethyst to petrified wood. This tent is full of pearls, pearls and more pearls. The string I happened to pick up was selling for $2800. Buckets of mineral slabs were available for lapidary work. New to Tucson this 6.5 ton meteorite. The gem tents go on and on. Just stopping for some waffles at the side of the highway. The Mineral Explorer with a fan.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Here we are in Tucson again.

We came originally just for the gem show but now we come for the eccentric city as well. Riding the city bus, like we do lets you see all aspects of city life. In the north of the city there is a new Whole Foods,"whole paycheck" grocery store that has a bar serving wine and beer on tap with large screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. The store was packed with upscale patrons wandering around eating and drinking. In the south end is another grocery store which caters to the Mexican population. It reminds me of our No Frills grocery at home with the addition of Virgin Mary statues in every size and almost every hot sauce known to man. My new favourite grocery store is one we found today just a short walk from where we are staying. My guess is that it has been around since Tucson was a whistle stop for the railroad. There wasn't any dust on top of the cans so there must be a half decent turnover. Hope so! Mom and Pop shops have never looked so good.