Craft sale bounties

Well, let's just say wreath-selling is not gonna get me into the blue chips. Thank goodness, Rose Marie took pity on me and bought one of my wreaths. I also threw in a two-for-one when she couldn't decide where she was going to put the lonely wreath.

I figured out that if I take my wreaths and put them back to back, they look more impressive. So, right there on the spot, with a strip of Christmas green duct tape, I doctored up the two to look like one, and off she went with the only "Marianne Love Original Christmas Wreath" to leave the fairgrounds besides the eight others I brought home in my car.

The $30-day with two book sales and Rose Marie's hot deal on wreaths almost paid for my materials. So, as Bill said to me a couple of days ago, "At least it gives you something to do and something to write about." I'm not going to write any more details about my Christmas wreaths business. So, everyone can rest easy.

As indicated earlier, the craft sales always yield something, even if it's not money. Yesterday's was no exception. We visited with a host of old friends and met some interesting new folks. I always consider that a plus. One of those bonuses came by our table in the form of a retired couple. The lady spotted me and walked straight up to the table with a big smile on her face.

"I've been waiting for this opportunity," she said. "I've read both of your books and have looked forward to meeting you. I'm Mrs. Moore's granddaughter." Well, I was wearing my Eddie Bauer crimson blazer yesterday, and as soon as those words dribbled out of her mouth, blood rushed to my face, turning it the same color as the blazer. Her husband chuckled as I attempted to cover my head with the coat.

Being someone's granddaughter is a pretty common phenomenon these days. But when you're Mrs. Moore's granddaughter and announcing yourself to Marianne Brown Love, the notorious North Boyer mail thief, you can count on a reaction.

Mrs. Moore lived across the road on the opposite corner of Woodland Drive from mailbox row. Mailbox Row included twelve mailboxes, and it was just across the ditch from our woods. That was when I was a kid, five years old, to be exact. And, that was when Mrs. Moore watched me steal the mail from those boxes and turned me in to the Federal Postal Authorities.

For a long time, Mrs. Moore was not one of my favorite people in life, but I'm sure she reigned as the heroine to the North Boyer neighbors who hadn't received any mail for three weeks. Anyway, her daughter seems like a very nice lady. I'm sure I'll see her again. We're friends, and I've long since forgiven her grandmother for reporting my postal indiscretions.

Another craft sale bonus arrived at our table early in the day. He bought a book from me and a card from Mother. He was lamenting the fact that he had to wear his glasses because of old age. When I asked him how old he was, his reply was 51. When I told him my age and Mother's, he looked at her and said, "I'll bet she has tales to tell." We both agreed, but we also soon knew we had met our match in tale tellers.

This man, named William, grew up in the Peruvian jungle. He's in this area visiting his sister Cecelia who sells beautiful Andean clothing and accessories (for unbelievable prices, too). After William told us of his origin, I asked him how long he'd been in the United States. When he said five years, I was astounded. His English was almost flawless.

Turns out that long ago, one of his school instructors told him the value of knowing English. William believed the instructor and went the extra mile with his linguistic education. He's also proficient in Portuguese as well as Spanish. We learned how his ability to communicate in three languages propelled him into some fascinating vocations.

William is a forester who has worked in the South American rain forests. He is also a lifelong student and teacher. He didn't even need to tell me that. I observed this early in his conversation with us, which was sprinkled with many wise sayings about learning and life. After our visit, I'm anxious for my husband William, the forester, to meet this William, the forester from Peru.

Later, I met and connected with William's sister Cecelia. I think a new friendship has been spawned. It still amazes me how one can remain for a lifetime within a mile's radius of one's rural childhood home and reap such fascinating rewards like those I experienced at yesterday's craft sale. A nice lady with a connection to my long-ago childhood crime and an inspiring sage from a country so far, far away.

Thirty dollars and phenomenal people connections---not a bad day.

Update: It wasn't a bad day for Sandpoint's Rowdy Buechner at the National Finals Rodeo. He finished second in yesterday's bareback go-round and earned more than $12,000 for his placing. He's now tied for fourth in the overall standing for the rodeo. If some stupid basketball game doesn't get in the way of programming, folks can watch him again tonight at 6 p.m. PST on ESPN2. Ride 'em, Rowdy!