Making the best of it

One thing yours truly has learned in recent years is this: If you have to do something you'd rather not do, then try to balance it out with doing something fun that you wouldn't normally do.

Today, as I had to head up to Apopka to deal with the pending vacancy at ye olde rental property, I decided to make the journey more palatable with a sidetrip to Renninger's Flea Market in Mount Dora.

Said sidetrip was made all the better by undertaking it with some good friends and eating way too much Mexican food afterwards!

To make things better, I found the house in great condition and got to show it to some great people, too. In fact, I'm hopeful that it may not go unrented for too long after all!

Don't let anyone tell you that flea markets, friends, and food can't cure what ails you!

Boxing Day at the Flea Market

Those of us of British extraction typically mark this date on the calendar, the day after Christmas, by boxing-up the old to make way for all the new.

That's why we call it Boxing Day.

So, I suppose it's the Irish blood that led me to a flea market in search of more junk instead . . .

Today's target was Renninger's up in Mount Dora, and there were actually three specific booths on the agenda.

Without revealing too much about ye olde shopping habits around here, suffice it to say:

The first booth was no longer in existence. I guess that's a sign of the woeful economic times.

The second booth was still there, but wasn't open because the owners were apparently still merry-making.

And, the third booth was too cold to spend much time hunting thru the inventory.

Oh, well. This sleigh is heading back to Orlando as empty as it arrived . . .

An unexpected detour

Well, ye socks, today's busy agenda was thrown out the window not long after making the trek up to check on ye old Lake Hammer chalet.

The details of said derailment aren't really important. I only mention it because I am ever more frequently surprising myself lately how much I let things like that roll off my back.

I guess it's true what they say about mellowing with age . . .

Anyway, yours truly unexpectedly found himself with a couple of hours to kill, and ended up strolling the aisles of a flea market along 441.

I could not have asked for better timing. Just as I ducked inside the air-conditioned portion of the market, we got one of our usual summertime "sunshowers." That not only drove away a lot of fellow junkers, it also cut the July temperatures enough to encourage me to explore the un-air-conditioned section.

It had been a long time since my shadow had darkened a flea market, and I had forgotten the entire subculture that goes along with such places. Bargains seem to be in abundance, though you do have to keep an eye on the fine print (both literally and figuratively). And, even if you haven't a single dollar to spend, it's still a worthwhile place to visit if people-watching holds any fascination for you. You definitely see all kinds.

Anyway, I made it out of there pretty cheap. Got some fresh produce and an old book for my troubles. (Philip Vickers Fithian's journal of life as a schoolmaster in colonial Virginia, in case you were wondering.)

Veering off course can be an okay thing. At least it was today. Hope ye socks are enjoying detours of your own this fine Saturday!

Flea market finds

Today's agenda included a quick drop by Jenks Manor to pick up the lord and lady for breakfast at a new greasy spoon.

Somehow we survived the oddly-shiny pancakes to get back on 441 and head up to Mount Dora to visit one of our favorite haunts: Renninger's Flea Market.

I loaded up on some fresh produce, a couple of books (of course!), a t-shirt, and a video game . . . all for $20!

I guess you could say I was out there doing my part for the economy, even if it was on a hobo budget!

Just another day at the flea market

Yep, that's all that was on the agenda today. No college football worth staying home to watch since the Gators had a bye week and the Noles already got beaten on Thursday.

Well, the Tech v A&M game WOULD have been worth watching, but they're broadcasting it on ESPN-U . . . like that's a real channel. So, I'll have better luck finding an article about it in the paper tomorrow . . .

Anyway, Valda and Howard are struggling to fill their new 4,200 square foot mansion with the proper decor, so a trip up to Renniger's Flea Market in Mount Dora was arranged.

The weather co-operated fully. But, we still only found ONE of the items on our list.

I did manage to pick up quite a few things that were NOT on the list, including a pound of the sugar-coated blackberry/raspberry mix at my favorite candy vendor's booth.

For you socks who do not frequent flea markets, you have got to go at least once a year. It is definitely a unique subculture. And, it's ALMOST as entertaining as a college football game.