Wise & Harmless

I have a love/hate relationship with social media.  Do any of you feel this way?  Oh, I use it, it has become an invaluable tool for my business.  However, for well over a year....you all know what I mean....it's too MUCH!  For my friends "across the pond" - I'm sure you have your own political and social issues - but, Americans tend to be over the top....can I get an AMEN!  I've even stopped watching the news...I can't anymore....it wipes me out emotionally...ALL of it!

Don't be fooled, I'm not uninformed - to the contrary - I am, what I like to call "awake."  Are you?  Awake to what is really going on, not only in my country, but the world.  I would love to share some of my thoughts, but like Alice, you can't just "jump down the rabbit hole," it's too much to hear these things all at once.  I recently told one of my friends, "I want to share some stuff with you, but I can't tell it to you all at once, I will feed you little bites every now and again."  She recently sent me a text..."I just saw a (...) and heard  (....)"  Yep, those are signs. 

I have had years of a slow "awakening" influenced by scripture that has guided me, especially this past year, to this very conclusion:  Matthew 10:16  "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves."  This, Jesus' words, says it all, not only for that dispensation of time - but ours!  There is only 1 truth in this old world - ONE - and that is Jesus - God manifest in the flesh!  1 Timothy 3:16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."  People this is our hope through salvation.  

So, I try not to comment on my face book page about the current topic, even LIKE other's posts or get caught up in any controversy - not because I don't want to, trust me I have strong opinions - it's because we are to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves." 

Why harmless as doves?  A dove is the universal symbol of peace.  Peace:  "freedom from disturbance, quiet and tranquility, mental calm, serenity, freedom from war and violence, freedom from civil order"  Do I need to say more?  No, I don't think so.  

So, I will try hard to "hold my peace," on issues, not click LIKE or leave offensive comments that may stir up more problems.  I will however, remain "awake" and pray.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

"How Is the Clean Out Going?"

I mentioned earlier that I hired a Summer Intern, Shannon.  We have spent many days this Summer shuffling, boxing, stacking, moving, hauling, loading....needles to say.....she has been a big help to me! 

I've had some interesting business prospects over the past 3 months and Shannon said something that had me laughing.  As we loaded and I tried to shut the door on an...ahem...I hate to say...storage unit...(ya, ya, I know it!!...it will only be until Ringle Harvest Day....it was a buy out I couldn't pass on)...anyway...Shannon said..."what happened to the clean out...?!?"  I said, "ya, you're not doing a good job...LOL..."  She said...."this isn't on me....I'm only doing what you tell me to do!  This is all you!"   

If you are on the outside looking into my line of work, you must keep in mind, just like it takes money to make money - it takes junk to sell junk.  My friend's husband asked me yesterday..."how's the clean out going?"  I said..."1 step forward, 2 steps back!"  So, If I can get rid of some actual garbage and replace that space with actually good junk, I'm ahead of the game!  Let's not fool ourselves, my building should never be empty, if it was, I wouldn't have any inventory to sell.  

Yesterday was one of those days, that if I would have been alone here, I would have QUIT and went in the house and took a nap!  My goal was to have Shannon and I each take 2 garbage bags to my pole building and fill them.  I opened the big sliding doors and we started there....we couldn't turn around...but, we started there.  In fact, we actually filled about 8 or 9 garbage bags and had over 2 dozen old weathered boxes for the burn pile.  Yes, I did toss many things I maybe could have sold at a flea or even crafted with, but it wasn't the "best" stuff I had.  We did fill many boxes for a future barn sale here too - it wasn't all garbage.  The dirty, holy rags or broken, chipped glass - they went bye, bye.  Oh, if you ask Shannon she might say I did a wee bit of whining - I wanted to quit and do something "fun."  She said, "boy, you sure get distracted easily..." (really??? ya think!)  I've been laughing about this since she left.  

But, honestly, for real...I'm pleased with the progress we have made....she might turn into the "Fall Intern" as well!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

What's What? I Don't Know Anymore?

A crazy title, I know.  I could write many a post about "what's what" however, this one is on my recent buying trip to Minnesota.  I was hoping, to gain a bit of perspective on the up and coming new thing....fail!  We spent 3 days shopping from here to there and I still have no idea what people want to buy.  

In addition to the thrift and antique shops we visited we went to 2 flea markets in 2 different cities - a total of over 2,500 booths of 96% vintage/antiques/junk.  It was truly amazing to see all the different booths.  Other than gaining a few new ideas for how to set up the Ringle Harvest Day:  http://ringleharvestday.blogspot.com/ I didn't see one thing I thought was going to be the next big thing.  

As much of a writer's block that I mentioned I had in my previous post...I've had that same "I don't know anymore" block for my resell business.  I have the inventory...we all know that...but, I don't know what to dig out anymore that people would want to buy.  Oh, I've sold over the summer - yes, I've done that, just not my "best work" - so to speak.  I've sold to many dealers and pickers over the past few months and that's fine, I'm thankful for their business.  

One thing I overheard 2 dealers talking about, is the very thing I was suspicious of myself.  Here is the quote..."I never thought I would see this day...." my ears perked up..."I guess it's here"....(what? what is he talking about?)....he then says; "people just aren't buying - we have the stuff - now what?"  BINGO - I thought to myself.  He nailed it!  

As I walked around these 2 flea markets, I mentioned to my friend that I thought the average age of shopper was around 50...or older....where are the millennials?  (IKEA or Target I guess....).  If we, as dealers, can NOT inspire the next generation to buy antiques....we are in trouble.  

The one saving grace...Pyrex!  Yes, to the bright colorful dishes that grandma used - Pyrex just might save us, just like Martha Stewart did to Jadite.  The Pyrex booths were packed!  
I saw very little painted furniture....yikes...
I saw very little galvanized being carried around....yikes...
I saw lots of farm stuff....still there at end of day....yikes...
I saw many pieces of cheap furniture, quality, real wood, dove tail drawers kinda furniture....no one buying....(IKEA really?!?)...

I don't want to sound pessimistic as that is contradictory to my core.  I have reinvented or rather, evolved my business before and I will do it again.  I know some of you who read this are dealers as well and maybe you don't see this coming, but I can assure you it is.  Just like the solar eclipse we will see today, changes in the business, happen every few years.  

So, I will keep plugging away, picking from my stash what my "gut" feelings are telling me to pick and go with that for the rest of the year.  It will be interesting to see what the new season of Fixer Upper will start as a trend...I am betting on 1970's macrame', brown furniture, glass and brass and pottery....just my "gut" but, If I'm right...I "called it."  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

  

Posts in "Unpublished Blog Heaven"

Do you know how many posts I've written this summer and not published?  Let me tell you - it's dozens...

I guess I have hit a writer's block.  That is the only way I can describe it.  I've written many posts, just to finish, proof and read them - they just weren't good - delete!

I have noticed a trend in the blog world - lack of posts!  

Maybe other's are feeling the same - how many posts about food, crafts, kids can one read?!?  Now, as I've always said "I write this blog for me" - thank goodness I do/did post recipes on here - as I've had to look them up!  It's just that too much is too much!

I follow some "up and coming" junkers.  I see their daily vlog, photos and posts - it's all too much!  How many pics of "pickin" can one see?!?   I know social media is the way - but, wow - it's overwhelming!  I personally think customers are getting tired of it all too.

Anyway, I write all this to explain why I haven't posted.  

Just when I lose my blog incentive - I had several people come up to me at the fair and say..."I love your blog."  I didn't even know some of them read it!  They don't follow it... 

Anyway, it was so nice to hear.  Then, that same week, I received an email from a company that wants me to do a product review for them.  O.K. - blog world what are you telling me?  

Thanks for reading and following along.  More meaningful content on it's way!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

21st Annual Ringle Harvest Day

Here is a link to the blog for the event and the contract:

http://ringleharvestday.blogspot.com/2017/08/21st-annual-ringle-harvest-day-2017.html

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Alter Bridge Meet and Greet

So, I love rock ballads - my favorite!  The lead singer of Alter Bridge is Myles Kennedy.  For those that don't know, he sings with Slash of Guns N Roses.  Anyway, here is a youtube video of a song he did last night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK3NuxO3Ke0

We were were given the back stage meet and greet from our friend, thanks Mia.

Wausau, Wisconsin isn't up on "who is who" I swear!  This was one of the best shows I've been to in over 30 years of going to the fair.  We had reserved seating and people around us were from all over - some said they would have paid $100 for their seats and another drove 4 hours one way!  

When I met them, I told Myles that his voice was truly a God given gift...I made sure to repeat...God given...and pecked him on the arm...LOL...he nodded and smiled and said "thank you."  (If you've received an 'arm peck' from me, you know I mean business - smile).

I believe in something called the Illuminati (go google it, it's real) anyway, most Christians feel rock of of the devil.  I see it at times too, but, this man has a voice!  I will ALWAYS love, love rock ballads.  I listen to all lyrics with caution, see bands, their signs and such for who they are and I listen with that knowledge.  

Al is beginning to see it too...he loves all metal...he about fell over when I told him who "Mr. Crowley"- an Ozzy song - was.  After googling the lyrics for him - you know Ozzy...hard to understand at times - he was like...NO!!!  Ozzy is one of his favorites.  Then we looked up another band he likes, Ghost and their lyrics....oh boy!!!

Anyway, Alter Bridge was an awesome concert!  The members were super nice, very fan oriented and I think enjoyed playing for smaller crowd of "real" fans.  One funny thing Myles said was, "is it true Ted Nugent is going to be here tomorrow night?"  When the crowd shouted yes, he said "that's it...I'm staying!  I learned all my swear words from listening to Ted...I won't repeat them as there are small children in the crowd."  What class!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Love One Another

I believe my dreams help me solve some of my problems.  I also, believe that some of my dreams "mean" things, are for me, given by God.  I have experienced things through my dreams that have lead me to believe this.  So, when I have one of "those" dreams, I know I need to study the "why" or "what" of it.  

I had 2 vivid dreams about church and Christian friends....I can't explain them in a way that any of you would understand, because we don't have the same shared life experiences.  However, God did use mine in a relevant way for me to understand what I think these dreams meant.

You know people always say...."we need to love like Jesus."  First, there is NO WAY any of us can love like Jesus - we are human he is God.  We are his children he is our heavenly father.  I can't begin to love my friend's children like I love my own.  I love them - but, not in the wholehearted, unconditional, death do us part kind of love that I have for my girls.  I may have to get along with one of God's children here on earth, but I can't possibly love them like He does.  

Second, does this mean that I don't think we should show love one to another - of course not!  John 13:34 says. "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you love one another."   It's just over the years, we all have come in contact with people that we may...lets say...not particularly like.  Am I nice to them?  You bet, I'm nice to everyone (unless you do something to one of my kids, then I turn into a crazy woman).   Anyway, these 2 dreams came to me consecutively in an order that makes total sense to me.  If I follow Him, I am called to love one another, but my capacity to do so LIKE him is unattainable.  

I was listening to the radio, I like all kinds of music and I listen with an open mind....some of the most beautiful lyrics are in metal...just saying....so, Five Finger Death Punch has a song - "Wrong Side of Heaven" - I've heard many times before and the video brings me to tears.  One of the lines is "I'm on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell."  Have you ever felt like this?  Maybe not quite fitting in with "Christians" but "too good for the sinners?"  Welcome to my world!  

But, you don't need to love me like Jesus does.  You never could!   Neither can I do the same for you.  These dreams have put my ability to see others as His children - spoiled brats at times, but I don't need to discipline them, that's His job.  He is your heavenly father and loves you, loves me - His ability to do so is mind boggling to me.  I can't stand to be around some people, but he loves them!  I have a new appreciation to that and I am so thankful.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_31.html