Talaya

Life is one beautiful trip

Talaya – Phoenican goddess of rain, according to the Obscure Goddess Online Directory. Apparently I channel her powers. Unwittingly, mind you. It's just that every . . . single  . . . time I try to air out a sleeping bag, the rains come. 

My darling, sweet friends, Guy and Kathy called me today to catch up on life and offer camping advice. Guy is Darryl's best friend and they spent many hours on a trail together. Guy has a really great memory of Darryl's gear and guided me on the care and use of it. Surprisingly, and thankfully, over the years, only a couple of items have gone missing. His best advice today was to attach a bear bell to my pack. A bear bell. Bears. Since Guy has never been mauled by a bear, clearly the bell early warning system works. Prior to this, my plan was to let Scooter walk in front of me. He makes enough noise to wake the dead. Which is what I may be if I don't get myself a bear bell. 

Airing out the sleeping bag. Scooter has claimed this one.

Market day

There are at least three farmers' markets in the Charleston area. My favorite is the one on John's Island. It is held in a field, with wide open spaces, food trucks (one for coffee, one for croissants, and more) live music, and is just a lot more laid back. On any given Saturday morning, there will be folks selling local meat, shrimp, vegetables, home made jewelry, herbs, peanut butter, olives. There are chickens, goats, and puppies milling about. 

There is enough time in the laid back environment to talk to the vendors. Johnny sells the most delicious raw milk you ever tasted, and his eggs make for the fluffiest cakes. Today we discussed bartering my baked goods for his eggs. Justin is the shrimp man with a degree in geography. His peaches are good, too. Cece makes jewelry and works at Clothes on a Bus with Nanette. 

The fashionable, friendly Nanette

See? It's a real bus, with more clothes and a dressing room inside.

Today's treasures. Acai berry seed bracelet and a seagrass bag large enough to hold Scooter – when I use him as a bear bell.

Handmade by Cece. Acai berry seeds.

Seagrass bag, large enough to hold Scooter. A steal at $3.

And speaking of buses, look what I found parked right across from me. Sigh. Wouldn't she be the most perfect thing to drive across country? I want one so bad I can taste it. I have fantasies about sewing curtains for one, and making cushions for the back. Probably a good thing the owners weren't nearby when I parked, or I would have made an offer.

Isn't she perfect?

Same color as my old Beetle. And look at that beautiful sky.

Those stickers would have to go though and be replaced with these:

I used to have one of these on the Subaru.

On the way back from the market I stopped at the Tractor Supply. Dear sweet Sabrina called this week and suggested a tarp to go under the tent. Being the girly girl I am, I found one that matched the tent. Thanks SW for the suggestion. Now if it ever stops drizzling, I can practice putting up the tent. Guy did warn me the poles are a bit bent. It had something to do with Darryl and an excess of bourbon. Go figure. 

Song of the day

The Giver – Duke Dumont
cause Jesus was probably a lot more hip than people want to admit

Today's gratitude

the rain
farmers' markets
fresh peaches
capitalism
the underground economy
Griffin, always