Northern Spark: A Couple Enjoying the Evening

Meet Eric and Katy!!

They were standing together waiting for friends when I approached them.  They laughed when I asked whether I could take their photo.  They said, "sure".  And, they went on to explain that for some reason, they get photographed a lot at public events.  

It was a pleasure meeting you both!

   

Northern Spark: Disposing of Garbage in the Oceans

Meet Claudia!

She told me she hated her name.  But, she was named after her grandmother who also hated her name!  I guess they are bound forever given the name!

They had an interesting display where you could roll the golf ball into a sharks mouth.  

Thanks Claudia!

Northern Spark Artists Event: Other Climate Change Events

Meet Taylor!

Next to the bean bag toss was the blue recycling board.  People would drop bottle caps at the top of the board and would get points, depending upon where the bottle cap landed. 

Nice meeting you, Taylor.  And, thank you!

Northern Spark: Artists Event: Climate Change Bean Bag Toss

Meet Rory!

He was one of several people manning (I so suspect that is no longer an acceptable term) a bean bag toss to create awareness of climate change issues.  

People would volunteer to toss bean bags and the board would flip around to show a more energy efficient mechanism than what was on the front of the board.

Thanks Cory

Anoka Flea Market: Vintage Art

Meet Sandy (aka Pinup)

She and her husband refurnbish older pin up photos and artwork, touch up the frames, and sell them.   They live in N. Minnesota in the middle of a 20 acre woods.  

It was lovely meeting you, Sandy!  Thank you!

Anoka Flea Market: Toys!

Meet Toros!

Owner of Old Skool Toros, an online store featuring older toys.  

I remember a few business meetings that ended like this!

Nice meeting you Toros!

Anoka Flea Market: A Traveling Road Show

Meet Arvis!

Many of the people at the flea market were locals.  But, Arvis loves traveling.  She lives only about an hour away.  But, she travels all of the US for shows representing her son.

Nice meeting you Arvis!

Anoka Flea Market

Meet Bobby!

He had a nice spot in the building, out of the rain and heat.    There was a nice breeze blowing through.    And, he was having a good day!

Nice meeting you Bobby!

Anoka Flea Market: My Era!

Meet Russ!

Russ had a great set of tables with things that I found interesting.  They included older albums of music from my generation!

I liked Russ.   When I asked him what I could write about him, he answered, "I like old stuff".  Indeed, he does!

Thanks Russ.

Anoka Flea Market: Puppies!!

Meet Victor!

He had a very cute little puppy for sale.  And, that pup was getting loved up by everyone.  Finally, it was time for a little nap.

Nice meeting you Victor!

Anoka Flea Market: A Lovely Image

Meet Judy!

I think this is one of the best images I took that day.  Judy was standing in the front of a large opening and the light was hitting half of her face.   I barely touched this image at all.

She and her husband (who did not want his photo taken) really enjoy selling vintage and antique items.  They've been doing it at the Anoka show for 5 years!

Thanks Judy!

Anoka Flea Market: Sellers Continued

Meet Dieter!

He works as a custodian at a local school.

Thanks Dieter!   By the way, you had a very nice shady spot going for you there!  Thanks for letting me cool down!

Anoka Flea Market: Brothers in Law

Meet Dave!

And meet his brother in law, Chuck!

They said working the show gets them both out of the house.   Why yes it does!

Thanks guys!

Anoka Flea Market: Sellers

Meet Lisa!

She and her husband had a brisk business at their table.  She is a cook at a local high school during the school year.  Now that school is out, she is having fun selling various things at shows around the area.

Thanks Lisa!

Monday Morning Traffic

It is that time again.

I really hate Mondays.

It's Saturday. Time for....

Indeed, it is.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.   Maybe I should wait until 5:00 PM or so.

A Flea Market Vendor

Meet Trevor!

I didn't get much information out of Trevor. He was busy making sales to other people.  But, I was glad he took time for a quick photo!

Nice hat, Trevor!

A Family Affair at the Flea Market

Meet Jerry!

Meet Lottie, his wife!

And, meet Cynthia, their daughter!

Cynthia was helping her parents at the show.  They have been participating in this show for 18 yrs.  Jerry and Lottie are both in their 80's and they are going strong!

I found this item particularly interesting.  It was an electric iron from 1915.  The user would unscrew a light bulb and screw the iron pull into the light socket.    My...times have changed.

A Small Business: The Flea Market: Seamstress

Meet Anne, from Anne's Unique Boutique!

She was  manning the booth she shares with her daughter.  The daughter creates custom hair ribbons.

Anne does custom sewing of doll clothing.

Very nice work!

Thanks Anne, it was a pleasure meeting you!

The Home and Garden Show: Young Living

Meet Kelly!

And, meet Amanda!

Amanda was presenting her products from Young Living.   In short, these are various oils and minerals from natural plants.  

For more information, you can click here!

Thanks Kelly and Amanda!

The Home and Garden Show: Log Cabins

As a person who has cut down trees, peeled them with a draw knife, and helped lay them up for a log cabin, I was very impressed with this improvement.

The "logs" are milled to support a double tongue and groove.  This helps prevent the wall from buckling.   And, they stack so nicely!  No need to scribe to the fit the log below!

I may be checking this out soon!

The Home and Garden Show: The Subby Strip!

Meet Sandra and Jeff from Stubby Strip!

They had a very nifty neoprene wrap around case for wine, liquor, and soda bottles.

Very nice!  Very flexible.   And, much less likely to break bottles and spill that valuable content all over the backseat of your new car!

Thanks Sandra and Jeff!

The Home and Garden Show: The Backyard Farm!

Meet Joan and Reid!

They are owners of a company that helps teach people how to grow produce, such as vegetables, in their own backyard.
 

I was recently reading that with this generation of millennials, the art of gardening, of growing food, is being lost.  I think this is a wonderful idea.     Kids need to know where food comes from.  And, the answer is not the grocery store!

Thanks Joan and Reid!