We have failed miserably as stewards of this earth.

I weep.

I weep.

I weep as I look at these photographs taken by Washington Post photographers.  My heart physically hurts for the wildlife, the shores, the water, our earth.  The kingdom that lives above and below the waters, these fragile ecosystems of where life truly begins.  I weep.  (Click photos to enlarge)

I have no captions to give.  These photos say more then they should.  I look at these photos and the Bruce Springsteen song, "My City's in Ruins" plays over and over in my head.  If I was a creature of the sea, this would be my voice to the land world...my city's in ruins.

We have failed.  We are all to blame.  The oil industry in their quest for a source and a profit that did not plan for such a catastrophe.  The environmentalists, under their masks of righteous indignation and blind eyes to a modern worlds energy's requirements who forced the oil industry to seek the commodity in areas so far and deep that this was bound to happen.  Our governments who refuse to make common sense decisions that we all can benefit from.   To all the world's people with every one's demands for oil and oil based products...could we not find a middle ground?  Hollywood with their need to praise socialist dictators and other selective political causes and yet we hear no voices from them...your silence is deafening.  To the oil nations who use this commodity as a political tool for personal wealth and dictatorship.   What have we done...what have we done? 

We are all to blame, shame on all of us.  

I have kept this blog from being political because I so love the uniqueness of my visitors.  But I am angry and I hurt when I see the damage we have all done.

I have no answers at this time.  I am numb to what I see.  

My city's in ruins.  Sea Witch

Market Day in Lawrenceville

It was a lovely Memorial Day weekend in spite of the constant thunder storms. After 3 days off, I'm just now getting back into the groove.  My intentions were to get this post up on Monday, but no such luck.  Finally came up for air and now I can share a little bit of market day in Lawrenceville.  Saturday morning through mid day was hot, sticky, muggy weather, but that did not stop the market day with antique dealers and local businesses in Lawrenceville.  

Lawrenceville is a pretty little southern town that has lots of local history but most notably known for the the shooting of Larry Flynt, Hustler magazine publisher.  The town has experienced a revival and the community has made efforts to retain its historical buildings wherever possible.  Wonderful local restaurants have since popped up, we have a local live theater and great little shops. Among these are Scotland Yard Antiques who sponsored the Market Day event.

Scotland Yard Antiques has lovely things and diverse dealers.  I can never go in without find a treasure.

The Lawrenceville County Courthouse.  Lovely Building.

Clock tower.

A breeze just happened to pick up and I was able to get a shot of Old Glory and our State Flag.

Water trough for horses built in 1873.

Small courtyard beckons to all to see the wares from antique dealers and local business's

This lovely fountain is a haven to the local birds and children.

My friend who owns My Vintage Heart was there and as always, she has such pretty displays and wonderful things.  I came to pick up the Art Nouveau vase.

Pretty dishes and tea pots from Scotland Yard.

Fashion jewelry, hair items and wallets from a local shop.

How pretty is this vanity?

These four chairs were priced to take away, but I actually fell in love with the pretty gold, straight back chair at the end. Not usually the type of thing I like but it had such a wonderful look to it.

Books, books, and more books.  I can spend hours going through old books.

Test tubes have so may uses. Fill them with dried flowers or fresh cut flowers, or vintage sequins and buttons and tie them off with a cork and ribbons.

Pretty outdoor items.

I hit the jackpot with these antique bottles.  I love the ones that collectors do not.  They are the ones that have a frosted, opalescent look to them.  Such lovely shades of sea aqua and perfect for groupings of three and five. This gentleman had hundreds to choose from and priced right.  I, unfortunately, misplaced his information.  If he is reading this, please send me your email address so I can post it.

The local "tea man" from Aristeacrafts Tea Shop.  Had lots of samples of freshly brewed loose teas.  Pretty tea pots for sale too.  They are located directly across from the visitors center.

I hope that Lawrenceville will have a few more of these Market Days.  It had wonderful dealers and booths, lots of items to shop for and a nice crowd.   Hope you also had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend.  Sea Witch

Do you remember the red poppy?

Memorial Day -  a way to remember our country's heroes who sacrificed their lives to allow us live a life of freedom. This day is dedicated to the military people who sacrificed their lives for the security of their countrymen.

On this Memorial Day weekend, we hold parades with bands, marching veterans and flags for our children.  We come together as family and friends with picnics and cookouts.  But let us remember to observe this day by paying homage to those who could not be here because of their sacrifice. Place flags in your yard, visit your local Veteran's services and witness the laying of the wreath.  You will not leave without tears and a grateful heart.  

 If you see any soldier, sailor, airman or marine, stop and thank them for their continued service to you and this Country. 

 I remember two traditions our family followed.  The first was the hanging of my father's World War II flag outside our house.  My dad would hoist me on his shoulders while I placed the 48-star flag high on the hooks so it would wave proudly.  The second was my mother taking us all to the local VFW to purchase Memorial Day poppies to wear.  Some were fresh flowers and other times they were fashioned from brilliant red crepe paper... no matter how they were sold, we always bought them to wear while watching the local parade and attending the wreath laying service.

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. I still have some of the red poppies made by the Disabled Vets that I wear every Memorial Day.  I don't know if they still sell them, but this would be a wonderful tradition to start with your children and grandchildren.  Create your own Red Poppy pin and wear it proudly over the Memorial Day Weekend to honor our fallen soldiers.

And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me - Lee Greenwood

Have a safe and thankful Memorial Day.  Sea Witch

Treasure Chest from Canada

After a long day at work and then a swim to decompress, I walk through the door and a box from Canada is addressed to me. I'm thinking, who could be sending me something from Canada?  I haven't purchased anything and I have no relative there.  Well, I see the return address and it is from Langley Girl...the winner of my "A Sea Witch in Paris Giveaway" a few months ago. 

 I'm thinking, why would she be sending me a package and what is inside it.  Well, this sea witch was left speechless.  It was a treasure trove of wonderful things and just because.  Yes, just because she wanted to say hello and thank you for all of the things I had sent her in the Sea Witch in Paris box. 

Like Christmas, I couldn't wait to tear into it.  But I had to take photos so you could enjoy the items as I pulled them out.

 A lovely note saying how much she enjoyed my giveaway box and that she wanted to say hello.  Well, if this is a "hello" I can only imagine what a "How are you doing" is. Nifty paper trunk with New York icons all over it.  I spent many weekend in "the city" as a child so this was like coming home.  Let's open it up and see what is in side, shall we?

Lovely linen handkerchief in aqua blue with pretty embroidered flower, a Langley girl creation just for the sea witch...mermaids, sea stars, she shells and words to dream with.  Oh, and a handmade fortune cookie with a fortune in it.

A pair of magnets which are of sweet birds on a letter cancellation stamp.  Love these.

A huge stack of Eiffel tower tags.  I know my french loving visitors will be sea green with envy over these. So many uses, I think I will give them a Christmas in Paris look and use them as gift tags for Christmas gifts this year.

Lovely framed pendent of a Japanese print with a turquoise scarab charm on a beaded chain.  Flip the pendent over and you have...

another Japanese print of a koi.  Love this side for its fish in a neutral palette.  I will be wearing this to work tomorrow.

Now add bead baggies, mini cards, jewelry elements, post its, diner star envelopes, a lovely hand created thank you note,  and a pretty ribbon and you have treasure falling everywhere.  Speechless, I am speechless by Betty's thoughtfulness and generosity.  All so unexpected and such joy she has delivered to my door.  Thank you Betty, for thinking of me and sending treasure to my door.  More importantly, though, thank you for this marvelous, long distance friendship we have established through blogland.  If it hadn't been for this venue, we would never had met, we would never have visited each others blogs and learned a little bit about each other.  Such amazing friendships are born from simple blogs.  What a ride we are all on.  Sea Witch   

Why oh why can't it be

a five day weekend and a two day work week?  Really, Why can't it!!!!  So many things to do and I know you are all just as busy with graduations, school year ending, preparing for the summer, etc. etc etc. 

So after the tree that fell was finally removed from my front yard, chipped and hauled away, I made a road trip to Snellville and stopped in at Vintage Village to say hello to friends and dealers. There was also an additional shop that recently opened behind the "Village" ... "Joy's Vintage Thrift".   Love it when there is another place to find treasure.

One of the personal touches you find at Vintage Village at this time of the year are fresh flowers throughout. 

This lovely bouquet of hydrangea's (a personal favorite) greets you as you enter the shop.

One of my favorite dealers, My Vintage Heart.  I keep eyeing the pretty silver plated Art Nouveau flower vase every time I see it.  I need to just bite the bullet and buy it as it would look lovely with my footed bowl that looks just like it.

How fun and summery this bright orange water can is.

Speaking of summer, this vintage soft cooler is perfect for Americana holidays, especially when fireworks are involved.

Another favorite dealer, Fox, always finds the coolest stuff.  This neat Victorian fold up chair has been over painted with aqua blue and sports a cabbage roses seat.  The best part, this nifty piece is only $45.00.  I had to force myself to walk away from purchasing it as I just don't have the room in my home.  But what a great piece.

Pressed and hammered aluminum pieces.  The American staple found in homes throughout the 1950s. Still affordable, these are fast becoming the next hot collectible.

How pretty is this vintage cake topper displayed under this glass dome.

Pretty jars have been repurposed with a little wire and a floral spray for lots of decorating ideas.  Use them for starting flowers, seedlings, or fill with sugar water for hummingbirds.

Clever is as clever does.  Pretty summer flowers bloom around a bicycle wheel wreath. 

Love this shade of aqua, especially during the summer. 

A new dealer at VV and I am crazy about the large letters that are for sale.

Eat Cake...words to live by...unless you are Marie Antoinette.

I don't know what it is about a big pair of panties that reduces me to childish giggles...maybe it is Ethel Merman's fault.  As a child, I remember her singing, "The Hostess with the Mostest" and a line from that song was "Don't leave your panties in the hall."   My baby sister and I would laugh till it hurt over that.  There is just something funny about panties.

Made  a lot of wonderful purchases and was so busy over the weekend that I forgot to take pictures of them.  Loaded up my vehicle and then took a short stroll to Joy's Vintage Thrift.   If you are looking for American kitsch, old time candies and a cold soda from a vintage fridge, then Joy's is the place to go.  Prices are great for both the collector and for the dealer looking for inventory. 

These four chair, sturdy, well made and in excellent condition were $35.00 for all four.

A quick coat of white paint and a pretty fabric change on the pads and you have a new set of dining room chairs on the cheap.

Old fashioned cash register greets you as you walk in.

Joy is a delightful young woman who at 21 has opened her first shop.  I love to see young people enter this field, there is such joy in it (no pun intended). 

The fridge full of cold soda's.  Saw YooHoo and had to buy a bottle.  My childhood was calling.

Joy has filled vintage frames with pics of 1950-60s television heroes and stars.  How fun.

Shelves are also filled with penny candy of my childhood.  When my raviolis come to visit, I must take them here to pic out a cold soda and a penny candy treat from her pretty jars of treats.

And finally a shot of my booth.  Brought in more items and filled both the booth and the case as rhinestone jewelry seems to be moving again.  My favorite piece in my booth right now is the small, aqua blue ladies trash disposal can.  Today's young gals probably don't now what it is, but if you grew up in the 1950-60 and a little of the 1970's, you would find this item nestled between two stalls in school and public restrooms for you to dispose of your personal hygiene items.  How fun would it be to put this in a bathroom and fill with your hygiene products.  Have a lovely Monday.  Sea Witch