Yesterday was gray and rainy, so my brother and I sought out indoor things to do. After dropping my niece off at school, we went to one of J.M.'s favorite coffee shops and hashed out a plan. We were supposed to run an errand at one of the big shopping centers in town, but we decided along the way to drop in to an antique mall where I've picked up some great old Florida photos in past years.
Fortunately, my brother really likes antique shopping. Dave can't stand it, so it's not something I get to do very often. We got there just as the place opened and spent a couple of hours poring over all the treasures. We even ate lunch there.
You gotta love these orange dogs with triangular eyes! And for only $8! I passed them by but then, while we were driving away, I looked through the photos on my camera, came across the one above and thought, "I NEED THOSE DOGS!" So we went back for them. They'll be coming to London. I also got a carved wooden woodpecker plaque that looks like it was someone's art project at summer camp. (I'd take a photo to show you but it's out in the car.) And of course I found some more photos to rescue and some old postcards too.
Good thing I have room in my luggage.
We got so engrossed in antiques -- we went to a second shop too -- that we didn't even bother to run our errand. Before we knew it it was time to collect Kate from school and go to dinner. During antique browsing and driving time J.M. and I had plenty of opportunity to talk about everything from our '70s latchkey upbringing to NATO and Trump. (Fortunately we share a common political perspective.) There really is something special and cathartic about being able to talk to someone who shares your personal history.
For dinner we went to a favorite local restaurant that unfortunately had a live band playing. It was quite loud and made conversation hard. It would have made Dave crazy -- he hates live music in a restaurant, and I'm not such a fan of it either. These guys were good, at least.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my older niece, Jane, who is living at college nearby. I don't want to intrude on her campus experience so I would never go there, and she was too busy to join us last night. I told J.M. not to bother her or pressure her to come to dinner. "She's doing what you're supposed to do in college. She's making her own life," I said.
Today I am back on the road, headed to Tampa with a special detour in mind.
My sister and I have the same sort of relationship. We can talk openly and honestly with one another, and we share the same political viewpoints. I love antique shopping! I usually purchase some sort of thing when I go, but I haven't been in a few years as we have too much "stuff" as it is!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw the orange dogs I knew they'd come home with you. Not so sure about Dave's reaction though.
ReplyDeleteMy brother, my only surviving immediate family member, is a member of The Cult so we do not discuss politics.
ReplyDeleteLuckily I have Carlos; we share the same thoughts.
I don't mind perusing antiques though I rarely buy anything. I have bought a handful of old cameras back when they had lots of metal and folded into large shapes from very compact ones that I have purchased over the years to display on my bookshelf downstairs.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, the Filipino culture is very into loud music at parties. The last one we attended, I had a raspy voice the next day from shouting to the guy I was talking to that was sitting right next to me.
What A Day - Good On Ya
ReplyDeleteCheers
Okay... but what was the errand you intended to run with Juan Miguel Reed?
ReplyDeleteI am glad you went back for the orange dogs.
Loud dining experiences urge me to vacate the table as soon as the meal has been consumed in a hurry. LOVE the orange pups! Of course you would go back for them!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun day with your brother. I believe I can guess your "special detour" as "someone" mentioned it in a comment... ;) I won't tell!
ReplyDeleteThere may well be a bit more antique shopping happening quite soon! I'm so excited.
ReplyDeleteOoh - are you the special detour??
DeleteI love your scary dogs. I'm sure they will be happy in their new home. Great mural in the top photo.
ReplyDeleteThose dogs are .... unique ....
ReplyDeleteYour day sounds like my idea of fun. So lucky to have a brother like that! The orange dogs look a bit like gargoyles (but maybe it’s just the un-doglike color). So glad you’re enjoying yourself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful mural, and that lake from yesterday's post, wow. Those dogs however, pass. I'm not a fan of tchotchkes. But you do you:)
ReplyDeleteI love the mural picture ... so vibrant and beautiful! The orange dogs are cute!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great day. I'm not a big antiquer—I mean, I like to browse and look at things, but I rarely buy anything. It's been a while, though—I might have to go on my lunch hour just for something different.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Dave, both on the antiquing and the live music that you can't speak over. I have had some fun times with John in antique stores though, just looking around--often at familiar things from my past. Not on a regular basis though since I can't stand the smell of most antique stores. What does Dave think of those orange dogs?
ReplyDeleteI'm with Dave on antique shopping. I'm glad you got to have such a fun, bonding time with your brother. You're right about having someone with a shared history!
ReplyDeleteI love looking in thrift stores and the like. Unfortunately, the local ones in Spokane are just terrible. It would appear that all the good stuff never makes it to the shelves.
ReplyDeleteGreat finds. Antique shopping with your brother sounds like good fun. You have a nice bond with your brother.
ReplyDeleteIt may have been a gray day but you found the color in it for sure! Love that mural and those orange pups. Waving to you from your old haunt, NYC.
ReplyDeleteYou are having fun in Florida and it's a good break.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great mural. I like to browse antique shops too but unfortunately my browsing buddy, my sister so I get the sibling thing, is no longer here. And of course you went back for the devil dogs. Be sure to tell us Dave's reaction.
ReplyDeleteI love those red dogs! What a fun find.
ReplyDeleteHow much longer will you be in Florida?
Oh, you've been having fun. I'd go browsing with you! Love that you found some good things to bring home. (Rick's not that much of a fan, but ironically he spent more at Hungerford Arcade than I did! You really need to go there sometime.) I know what you mean, talking with someone who knows your past from a more experiential point of view. It sounds like a good visit.
ReplyDeleteI've been unaware of your tour of Florida (yech!) by my absence but I see you're still at it, doing good at antique stores (didn't they have any cats?) and touring well.
ReplyDeleteI love browsing in antique stores. But those dogs would have stayed right there on the shelf. I guess they will look interesting next to your vegetable crocks.
ReplyDeleteI love those dogs and would have been very tempted by them. Looking forward to seeing where you choose to display them (if you feel like sharing that). And I get the shared history - I'm rediscovering that with both my brother and my childhood friend. I'm glad you have that kind of relationship with your sibling. I can't imagine being an only child and how lonely that might be.
ReplyDeleteYour Florida trip is such a good family and landscape reconnection, as well as so helpful to Dave's family.
ReplyDeleteHaving been immersed in the (wonderful) OBrien clan for 30 years, it always amazes me to spend time with my brothers (a few days every few years) - we all fall fluently into "Swartz-speak", just as you and your brother speak "Reed".
Chris from Boise
Just read "Bless Our Hearts". Yippee!!
DeleteThat wall mural is amazing! I love it. I wouldn't have bought any of those dogs, I'm trying so hard to not buy more stuff that doesn't serve any purpose except to catch dust.
ReplyDeleteI know where you went for your special detour 😊
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