On the Market.

Cody wrote a story as a class assignment. It gave me a little chuckle so I decided I’d share.

John McCartney’s Irish Dance, Dance Revolution Contest

One day John McCartney met a psychotic Irish man going from Chicago Studio, Chicago. The man was grizzled, thin, nad had a vest. John didn’t like people that were grizzled, thin, and had a vest, so he said, “I hate you.” The man was offended so he said, “I hate you, too.” The man challenged John to an Irish Dance, Dance Revolution competition. He accepted. Later John thought to himself, “I’m retarded. I have no clue about Irish dancing.” John paid $1,000,000 to get Irish dance lessons. (How dumb.) MCartney learned Irish dancing and then they had the I.D.D.R.C. They danced like mad men. (Which they probably were.) John won and the man punched him in the face so John filed a lawsuit and the man got arrested.

The End!
P.S. Wow!

The back of the story had a picture of the Beatles doing a jig.

Something else that Cody wrote that gave me a little giggle was the turkey he decorated and filled in with the things he was thankful for. It starts off sounding rather normal, but it’s the last thing he lists that cracked me up.

I am thankful for my family, a good education, food, water, money, a good life, and accessory items. I am thankful for these and other things.

I never did find out what those accessory items were.

Then, there was the pumpkin story that rode home on a pirate decorated pumpkin made from orange construction paper.

I don’t think we should be sold and carved just for you humans’ pleasure. The person that bought me only gave me one eye and a freaky mouth. If we are bought, we are carved and stripped of our dignity and considered property, like slaves. We are happy in the dark until you cut us and give us eyes and mouths and put a candle in our head. If you eat our seeds there will be no more pumpkins left, our race extinct. Our farmers are very nice, so why can’t you leave us be? I demand we are returned to our pumpkin patch, patched up and left alone FOREVER!

The Hartsook building, which received a new balcony back in November, acquired a new roof on Sunday. The roof, which boasts a copper top, covers the balcony and brings the building one step closer to its original, historical look.

Walter’s Greenhouse returned to the Market this past week with gorgeous centerpieces (pictured,) wreaths, and kissing balls. There’s definitely no shortage for those looking for greenery to brighten their homes. There are a good number of farmers offering their own spin on wreaths including Forest Lumsden who created this 30″ beauty.

The Martin’s are back with an assortment of fresh eggs and meats including sausage, bacon, fat back, scrapple, souse, and liver pudding. They also have apple butter and jams. Their cohorts, also the Martin’s, have traditional wreaths tied off with big, red ribbons.

Gene Barfield offers a diverse selection of fine art photographs, perfect for gift giving. Many of his photographs are from his travels around the world like this one of a carousel and the Eiffel Tower.

You can also find unique gifts from other vendors which include cheese platters made from recycled wine bottles, chocolate candies homemade by Peggy Gebauer, and fun star and moon ornaments handcrafted by Dana James.

Additionally, Cheryl Dolby has created a line of beautiful, Grandmother Trees. Each one is different and comes with a story. This past weekend Cheryl sold every tree sculpture she had made, but plans to make more through Christmas. Grab them fast, however, as they absolutely won’t last long.

Here’s the story of the Grandmother Tree:

The trees are alive! She wandered into the garden early one morning and she heard them speak to one another… It was a language spoken on another frequency… in another vibrational time frame. They spoke of healing with power and energy and of the relationship between energy and matter.

She was drawn to an ancient Chinese Elm and as she leaned her body next to the base, somehow she felt immersed in the tree… she was the tree!

Experiment: Sit with your back against a grandmother tree… feel the energy… experience the unity… emerge a stronger person and thank her respectfully….
Cheryl Dolby

For those planning to attend Dicken’s this year, I know that Ben Crooks will be there selling his rocks and wooden toy cars, Brian Seckinger with his photos of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas, and myself with a variety of soaps, lotions, and gift baskets. I will also be offering tea tins at Dicken’s that are handcrafted from my friend Anne in Washington State. You can read more about her teas here.

Also, FYI the annual City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6:20 pm on Friday, December 7th.

The Center in the Square had new carpet installed last Monday. Not only was this against the recommendation of the guys who are in charge of the upcoming renovations that should start next year - they’ll just have to rip it back out - but the carpet is ugly as sin. This picture really doesn’t do it justice. The first time I walked in and stared down at the new carpet it looked as if it was moving. My suggestion would be to never ever walk into the building if you’ve just eaten a little square piece of paper. I imagine it’d be quite scary.