Thursday, July 15, 2010

Third Thursday in South Boston

Six painted chairs were on display; there was great music; stores were open late, and lots of people showed up--despite the hot weather.

I almost bought my own painted chair. At $60, my left brain kicked in (I use it infrequently) and said "Buy it, take a deduction, and resell it for at least double at the October art show--a better return than the stock market." Bidding picked up and it sold to the lady on the stage. (Now I can legally deduct only the cost of materials--or was that law changed?)

Before the auction I took a walk looking for a breeze and, instead, found a beautiful side street. Celeste was right when she said backs and sides of buildings can be more interesting than fronts.

There was an underlying sadness at the event. The friend who talked me into painting the chair lost her daughter today--there was a car accident last weekend--and her grandson remains in the hospital. There was a silent prayer.

8 comments:

  1. Hi Hallie, Your chair was creative and unique! The top bidder is lucky. I like the lines and angles of your back side photo! Coolness.

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  2. It sounds like the event went really well. I'm glad the Farber Flies have found a new home while earning significant money for the charity.

    I'm sorry to hear about your friend's loss. My heart aches for her and her family. I pray that her grandson is able to return home soon - fully recovered.

    -Don

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  3. Oh Hallie- I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend's daughter. I can't even fathom her pain and sorrow.
    I'm glad the auction went well- but I completely understand it's underlying tone of sadness. My heart is heavy just hearing the news.

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  4. Peggy. Thanks; I think I added the last paragraph as you were posting your comment.

    Thanks Don. I think your charity auction is coming up soon--celebrities would probably make me very nervous. Wait--this is the Year of the Don--no sweat.

    Pam, thanks. In small towns, tragedies always feels close.

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  5. Hallie
    I am so sorry to hear the news of the loss of your friend's daughter...there is a place in our heart that holds these hurts and allows us to somehow continue to continue...we know not how.

    I love your post...the glimpses of your town, the terrific angle to the street scene and simply the event and seeing the folks turning out to enjoy the art.
    Congrats on your sale...FABULOUS price for your watermelong chair...with lace and flies.

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  6. Hi Donna. Thanks. Actually, South Boston is 20 miles west of me and in a different county--it is working at revitalizing its downtown through the arts. I live in Clarksville, a small town on a lake--known for boating, fishing tournaments, hydroplane races, and antiques.

    I grew up in the rural area between these two towns. The loss of the two major industries--textiles and tobacco--has brought change. Both towns retained their charm.

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  7. Hallie, I am sorry to hear of your friend's loss. Tragedy can come so swiftly. May the warmth of friendship carry her through this difficult time.

    Your pictures of South Boston are charming. I keep thinking you should paint those chairs. Certainly I expect to see the backs of the buildings in the future. It's great hearing about and seeing photos of the area where you live.

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  8. Hi Mary--and thanks. This area is nice--hills and fields and trees; lots of creeks and lakes. There is some type of festival every weekend--cantaloupe, beef, pork, catfish. It's about 98 degrees outside, though, so I just hand out in my a/c house or workshop. My brother lived in Pasadena for a long time, I loved the California weather. (He and his wife now live up the street from me--I guess we missed the laid-back life.)

    Have you recovered from your travels to Denmark, Finland, Norway and Estonia? I'm probably forgetting at least one country--loved the sketches.

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