flea circus

Catching up on some more summer memories-

Last July, Southern forces (consisting of Stuie, Weezie and yrs truly) convened in New York City to rendez-vous with Pooh, our undercover Big Apple operative.

I am happy to report maneuvers were successful! I was able to hit the Garage on the west side but only got through the upper floor before my friends called a break for lunch. I was able to grab a tantalizing photo of the ground floor action through an open bay. I’m going back in a month, so I agreed to go without pitching a fit.

After taking a bite out of the Apple, the Ageing Chick Army piled into Pooh’s car and headed west towards Bucks County, Pa.

I should pause and briefly describe this vehicle, since it is also an old friend. It’s a chocolate-brown Mercedes that belonged to Pooh’s mama, who we all knew since babyhood- all our mothers were good friends. After Nina died, it was just not possible to let her car go.  It’s just like she was later in life- a classy brunette with some miles on her. Pooh keeps the Ninimobile in the city, which is a pain but worth it. It’s like riding around in one of her purses. I would not be surprised to look down and find a mint and a Kentucky Derby ticket stub between the seats. The air conditioner works, which is awesome since you can’t open the windows.

So anyway, we rolled west into New Jersey and hit a popular market by the river called the Golden Nugget- we all bought pretty vintage linens and some other teeny things- I got some great french plates and a bunch of old magic lantern slides- I have no idea what to do with them but something will come to me.  I found a fabulous Masonic lodge medal- a really great one, but walked away and I’m kicking myself still. That one goes into the “shoulda” file.

it was a gorgeous day

Afterwards we went into Lambertville, which is the cutest little town ever. We had a great lunch and poked around in the shops.  I bought a Chippendale mirror that looks wonderful in my dining room. I rarely buy in retail shops- but the prices were terrific. In one place I saw a little transferware mustard pot that was identical to one I had bought at the Garage two days before- and the price was exactly the same 10 bucks I had paid for mine.

I love my mirror!

fancy meeting you here, Mr. Dabney!

Late in the afternoon we were shopped out and ready to leave. As we moseyed down a side street on our way to the Ninimobile something caught my eye- there in a shop window was a print of a handsome gentleman in uniform. Screeching to a hault, we all started laughing. We happen to know this guy! He’s the father of another good friend from home. At least 40 years ago, several of our daddies had posed as officers in historic uniforms for a bourbon whiskey ad campaign. Who would imagine we would be looking at one of these prints of a man we all grew up with in Kentucky sitting in a shop window in Lambertville, New Jersey. The shopkeeper thought she had a sure sale until we told her that all our parents already own the full set.

The Aging Chick Army gave the day an A+. We picked up wine and cheese and crossed the Delaware into Pennsylvania to spend the night at a beautiful and very old farmhouse that was restored by two very talented friends of mine. Thus well-provisioned, and with Cornwallis’ army nowhere in sight, the troops were lighthearted and  slept like babies. The next day we hopped back and forth across the river and explored several charming little towns on both sides before heading back to the city. Chick trips are the best, y’all. This little piece of the Delaware River might be my new favorite place.

Lambertville doorway