Blue Plum Festival

Just got back from the Blue Plum Festival in downtown Johnson City...what a great place to hang out, in spite of the on and off downpour! We didn't get to see most of the booths, as heavy rain was causing most artists to close shop for the night, but had fun watching a potter using a wheel for a while. Sierra wants to learn how to throw pottery now, so we'll go check out Into the Fire next week (if we don't head to Columbia to hang out with the Lovejoys).

Ran into Jessica's family down there, Aleah's curly hair was damp with the rain and spinning into wee ringlets....she and her brother are adorable! Jessica's dh was jamming with his band in the alcove between a parking area and the main street. They were quite talented Bluegrass musicians! Would have enjoyed staying to hear more, but Sierra and Jalen were intent on a plate of nachos from Acoustic Coffeehouse. Jessica's dh is in the photos if you scroll down (the guy playing guitar...they're local unschoolers).

The coffeehouse was non-musical tonight, but full of bubbly, warm conversation. After Jalen had a small melt-down over the fact that the nachos had cheese (no pun intended), we ordered him some dry nachos and the evening progressed joyfully. They played "no rules" checkers for a few rounds while I enjoyed my duck-rabbit porter and veggie lasagne. Jalen pushed back his empty bowl before heading to the checkers table and said "I'm having fun." Phew.:)

We left with wet clothing (too much walking in the rain), full bellies and wonderful artsy images in our minds. Discovered a fabulous spirituality store in downtown and picked up my clay tree I reserved at the last "First Friday" that an ETSU student made. It's so very Tim Burtonesquish in style and I have ideas floating around for how to display it. At the moment, it's in my meditation closet atop a hanging altar, looking magically inviting. I'm pretty sure a troll is going to pop out of the opening in the center any moment!

I've got three small knitted, funky bags made for the Imagination Tribe trade coming up. One will probably head to Corvallis for Qacei's fundraiser (summer trip to England, learning about Shakespeare and such..very cool), one will be traded and I may try to sell the other.
They're quite addictive and I plan to make a passel of them.

Sierra is longing for a jump session on the trampoline...time to go get wet again, sigh.:)