I live in a small town and it seems at times as though modern civilization has forgotten us. There is one McDonald's and one Sonic and a local restaurant, most on the Interstate won't have heard of, that serves up an incredible bacon cheese steak-burger. Mom and pop stores come and go, but most go out of business. There is however one new flea market that seems to be doing quite well in the infamous 'haunted building.' I myself have financially supported their endeavors on a weekly basis! (Shhh, don't tell the hubby...) It's a great mix of people that bring their goods to sell. Military wives, Mennonite women, local crafters, the Knobites (born and raised here) and we all eat donuts and drink cocoa in the mornings, gathered in an old historical building established in the 1880's.
I guess you could say that Knob Noster isn't too far removed from the map. After all, this town was mentioned in the 1983 Television movie, The Day After. Yes,it's true, this town was always small, but in the late 1800's it was referred to as "The boomingest settlement in the county" during the decade of lucrative coal mining. Then it all dried up and the great fire happened and most of the not so big town was destroyed. The town eventually rebuilt itself and remains to this day the small quaint quiet place with the general store, mom n' pop hardware, barber shop with the vintage light still outside, a one room library and a cute little hair and nail salon...and that's where my little cork board comes in...
I've gathered at this little hair/nail salon for over 10 years now and the people that go here don't come for just highlights and manicures. They come together for the warm coffee and friendship. I always thought the barber shops had the monopoly on 'bonding time' but through the years I've shared in so much with these amazing ladies. We sit around and tell our modern 'war time' stories and they share their 'WWII' and Vietnam stories with us. It's a beautiful and wonderful thing to gather knowledge, wisdom and strength from them. Now that my husband is recently retired from the military, I find that I have been promoted to the ranks of 'elder' where I now impart encouragement to the new military wives.
The circle of life seen in a small town is like no other...
Aside from gabbing, eating, shopping and socializing, I also have a little store of my own. It's on a cork board, decorated up with the word CARDS at the top and on that cork board hang a few little makes that I bring in weekly. I have the sweetest regulars that keep me busy with cards for their families. I don't charge much at all for them as I just enjoy making them, but it's not about the money. The real payment is in the hugs these sweet ladies give me and that's payment enough.
So I guess you could say, it's okay that I don't have big craft stores, or shopping malls or even a Walmart in my town...I have so much more. I have incredible memories and friendships that I'll treasure always and that is truly something to be thankful for!
Hugs and Happy Crafting,
Lisa x
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