Pearl’s Fashion House/Runway/Farm has been open for a few weeks now and there has only been one fashion show. The crowd mostly consisted of Bingo player holdovers. However, the word is trying to get out and Hilda/Hsomething has actually gotten some big name fashion designers to commit to a run down the runway under one condition. There has to be 150 attendees who each have the ability to purchase a minimum of one designer outfit. This will not be a runway event where fashion is purchased to provide inventory for high end shops…maybe later.

Essie/Ellie: Since we have a bunch of chickens now, we have more eggs than we can eat, sell, and give away. There are a couple of dozen going rotten every day. I can’t even get them all collected. Sometimes, I don’t know if the ones I’m getting are rotten or fresh.

Grace: Maybe we can sell some nice fresh eggs at the fashion show, and I’ll sell some of my divinity. I use lots of egg whites when I make divinity.

(I’m going to jump ahead just a little and tell you that an awful thing happens at the fashion show. Grace accidentally uses rotten eggs to make her divinity. In an attempt to use some of the eggs, she has also made custard pie with rotten eggs.)

Pearl: We can make some of those egg salad sandwiches and cut the crust off the bread. That makes them look high society.

(Jumping ahead, that turns out to be a bad idea.)

Ellie/Essie: You two are coming up with some great ideas. We also have too much milk. We have goat’s milk and cow’s milk. No one likes the goat’s milk. They think it tastes like a hairy old goat. Does anybody know how to make hairy old goat cheese?

(Bad Idea)

Pearl: Stop Essie. Grace is getting that funny look on her face. She hates to waste anything and bad things happen when Grace tries to overcome wastefulness.

(Jumping ahead, Grace makes eggnog and sells it at the fashion show. The fashionistas seem to like it.)

And the crowd? Well, at first they were pretty upset.

Then a laughter yoga instructor decided to save the day by doing laughter yoga. Pearl and Grace loved it. Pearl is looking at adding another slash to her business. How about Pearl’s Fashion/Runway/Farm/Laughter Yoga Studio?

HA HA HO HO HO

What is More?

By Mary Francis McNinch

I asked my dad to help me with my school report.
He said, “Not now, my little one, my time is just too short.
I know you’ll understand that I have promises to keep.
I work late every night, while you are fast asleep.
You know that old car of ours? It runs great, but it’s not fancy.
You asked for some new dresses and I said that I would see.
I only want the best for you. I work harder than before
to make a better living so I can give you what is more.”

Dad went off to work that day and I went off to school.
I saw a friend’s new shoes and they were oh so cool!
I wished that I could have some shoes exactly like she had.
I couldn’t wait til I got home so I could ask my dad
if I could have new shoes, though my old ones were still new,
I didn’t love them anymore, so they would never do.

When Dad got home from work, I could see that he was weary.
Though it was late, I couldn’t wait to approach him with my query.
He said, “I only want the best for you. I’ll work harder than before
to make a better living so I can give you what is more.”
It seemed no matter what I had, I wanted better stuff.
No matter what Dad gave me, it was never quite enough.
We didn’t talk about it, in fact we hardly talked at all.
Soon all those things around me, did nothing to enthrall.

Dad worked so hard there was no time for us to be together.
In time, it didn’t seem like we were two birds of a feather.
I sometimes questioned why things were so different from before.
Didn’t it mean Dad loved me, when he gave me what is more?

I couldn’t understand, why I felt such discontent.
The feeling came along with me, everywhere I went.
One day, though I was early, I thought I must be late.
I saw my dad out back, leaning up against the gate.
He didn’t see me coming. His expression was intense.
What was he looking for on the other side of the fence?
I stood quietly beside him and I felt him squeeze my hand.
We both gazed straight ahead and I began to understand.

“I see the Beasterhop,” I said. “Can you see him, Dad?”
“He’s riding the same old bicycle. The one he’s always had.”

Then Dad did something he hadn’t done in quite a while.
He waved hello to the Beasterhop and smiled a great big smile.

“He’s hard at work in his garden, Dad. He has bunny mouths to feed.”
Dad sighed and said, “Not to mention all of the other things they need.”
“I remember now,” Dad said, as he stopped and rubbed his chin.

I knew what he was thinking and I couldn’t help but grin.

Dad thought a little longer, still staring straight ahead.
And then he spoke to me, and this is what he said.

“I miss these times my little one. I know that I’m to blame.
I wanted to give you the world, and I played the world’s sad game.
The Beasterhop knows better. I just had two words wrong.
I know the right way now. It’s too bad it took so long.
I thought I had to give you the best of what is more. And so I worked much harder than I had ever worked before.

Our life will change. It won’t be both. It must be either or.
I’ll give you what is best for you, instead of what is more.

We’ll have more time together. We’ll make memories to store. And we’ll be thankful for enough instead of wanting more.”

The Beasterhop looked our way and I thought I saw him wink.

If you have enough… more gives you less. At least that’s what I think.

It’s a way of life much easier to talk about than do.
Please say a prayer for me and I will say a prayer for you.

I went out to the she-shed this afternoon to see how Kip was coming along. He is doing a great job! There is still a lot of work for both of us to do, but it’s about to get fun.

The walls are covered with four inch pine furring strips. they look like knotty pine. They’re a real light color and because there won’t be any windows, I’m going to stain them with a light stain.

I’m not going to complain about the “no windows” thing. The she-shed has double doors in front that take up space and I’ve come up with a couple of ideas for the ceiling that I hope will bring the feeling of the outside in. I’ll see what you think.

The ceiling has plywood held up by 2 x 4 rafters. They (the ceilings) are flat on 2 sides. Those areas could be used for storage. they’re kind of like a low loft. the ceiling is vaulted in the middle. I’m thinking of painting the rafters dark brown and the plywood light blue. Then I will stencil some clouds and birds up there.

The first pic is of one of the flat sides. The second is of the vaulted space in the middle.

The picture below is just to show the brown rafters. I couldn’t find a picture with the ceiling made from plywood.

There will be no chandelier or balcony. This is to show the clouds on a blue ceiling. Mine won’t look exactly like this because I’m not going to air brush the clouds on. I’m going to use stencils.

Bird and cloud stencils.

Painting the concrete floor is going to take a lot of work. You have to clean it with a special cleaner and seal it with a special sealer. I’m still looking for a cozy round rug,

There is already a storage cabinet and a shelf in there to display my display stuff.

Kip just ordered a combo air conditioner heater that will go in the wall, and Heidi gave me a really cute little duraflame fireplace that looks neat and also puts out heat.

What do you think? I’m open to suggestions

A great big thank you to all those who attended the Cedar Creek Literary Club meeting this morning to watch my presentation. You touched my heart.

For those of you who missed the performance of the hour, here you go!!

Part 1 is 25 minutes long, part 2 is 11 minutes. The big revelation is in part 2…

I’m kind of a last minute Lulu. I try to tell myself I work better under pressure, but I’ve been known to lie to myself.

I’ve been under a self-imposed time crunch; one being to put together a forty minute presentation to the Cedar Creek Literary Club. I’ve spent a significant amount of time in preparation which might not necessarily be a good thing. I have added and removed things so many times, who knows what will come out of my mouth? I’ll let you know how it goes after next Tuesday.

I didn’t write a blog blog for today, but I do have some exciting news. Kip has started the she-shed remodel. I’m pretty excited and can’t wait to decorate. There will be lots of painting and staining to do, but that will be part of the fun.

Well the girls at Pearl’s Fashion House/Runway/Farm don’t let any hay grow under their feet. They are already planning a fashion show followed by a square dance. I guess you could call the place a halfway barn. Let’s take a look and see how they’re doing.

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Grace: Pearl, do you want me to get all of those hot dogs out of the freezer? We can sell them at the square dance. I don’t think I’ll make any chocolate cake, though. I think I’ll bake some peanut butter cookies. I’ll need to buy some peanut butter. Do you like creamy or chunky?

Pearl: What? I don’t care. I’ve got bigger fish to fry.

Grace: I don’t think fish and peanut butter cookies go together. We better not serve hot dogs, either.

Pearl: What? I meant there are many decisions to be made and much planning to be done. I like to delegate. I’ll need some time to buy my outfit.

Grace, you seem to have the food under control. Get a couple of bags of ice, too. We’ll serve some kind of drinks.

Grace: I know! I’ll see if Llama Mama has some fresh honey. I’ll make tea with honey and lemon.

Bee Keeper/Aunt farmer and part time Llama Mama.

Ladies in Waiting: When does this thing start? What is this thing anyway? Where are we and why? Why are we wearing sunglasses?

Lav: Don’t you know a fashion barn/runway/farm when you see one?

Airy and Windy: I’m sure glad I brought my air cigarettes. This place is making me nuts. I know! These people are a pain in the neck!

Queen E: I brought horses for the barn farm.

Annie: Whose driving, You or me?

Pearl: Something is missing.
Grace: I’m confused

Hilda: Is anyone having a birthday?

Here we go! The runway is complete, and the dressing rooms are fit for queens. Pearl made sure of that. Everybody is helping out. It does seem a little strange that after Hilda’s brilliant compilation of information that resulted in the decision to start the Pearl’s Fashion House/ Runway/ Farm business; she mostly goes around singing happy birthday. Oh well, to each there own.

********************************************************

Pearl: I’m so excited. I can’t wait to walk down the runway modeling my own fashion statement and then describe the designs each of our models is wearing.

Grace: Where are we going to get the designer clothes and the models, Pearl? Has anybody thought of that? I have no idea where a person would even start to look. I saw some ladies at the Dollar General that looked pretty nice. I believe they had hats on, too. When is Queen E. supposed to get here?

Pearl: Grace…Have you ever heard the fortuitous words spoken by some guy who wanted a baseball field on his farm? He said, “Build it and they will come.” We just have to put our heads together and make it happen.

Essie/Ellie: Well, so far, I’ve been able to get a chicken and a donkey. Is a donkey considered a farm animal? There’s a guy down the street that’s considering giving us an ant farm. He said it’s a good one. I got some hay, too, but I don’t think chickens and ants eat hay.

We don’t eat hay either…Is that a skunk in there?

Pearl: Where’s Hsomething, Essie? I haven’t heard her singing in a while.

Essie/Ellie: She said she has a lead on some designer clothes, but no models want to come to a runway in a barn on a farm with no people to watch the show.

Oh PU-LEEZ The bingo girls are back for the fashion show

“Do you think I would look good in that red one?”

“We’re twinsies, Pearl!”

lll

 

It appears we have come full circle. The bingo idea turned out to be a bingo bust. The savvy bingo players weren’t very forgiving and after receiving cheaper than dirt prizes at Pearl’s place, they left. No one was too hopeful they would be back.

**************************************************

Pearl: I refuse to let this temporary set-back get me down. I’ve got a HUGE barn and there has to be some way I can turn it into a money making investment. Now…Who has a good idea?

Grace: Well, everyone seemed to enjoy my baked goods. I forgot to push the hot dogs, so we have a freezer full of those. I’m sure they’ll keep until the fourth of July. Hot dogs and the fourth of July are just like America and Apple Pie. Only it’s different.

Pearl: Close your pie-hole, Grace…Sorry, please close your pie hole. Does anyone else have any clever ideas?

Pearl the dog and Mouse have gone into the living room to watch Lassie.

Ellie/Essie: We could make a skating rink out of it. Do you know how to skate, Pearl?

Pearl: Hsomething… You don’t say much do you?

Isn’t there an idea or two rolling around that pretty head of yours?

Hilda: (The name Pearl can’t remember)…Can I speak truth to power, Pearl?

Pearl: Are you asking me?

Hilda: I’m glad you asked. I have done some feasibility studies on your barn. Allow me to show you my analysis. It considers the relevant factors, including economic, technical, and legal, etc. I have converted them all to generalized flow charts. I used these to ascertain if a business will succeed or fail.

Pearl: I can’t wait to see what you ascertained, Hsomething.

Hilda: The business most likely to succeed in your barn conversion, is (drum roll, please) Pearl’s Fashion House/ Runway/farm.

Pearl: Far be it from me to question an analysis based on relevant factors converted to generalized flow charts. What do we do first, Hsomething?

Hilda: We need to get all of those bingo tables out, put a runway in for the runway models, find a fashion icon that wants to have a show here, advertise, and get some farm animals, like goats, chickens, cows, and sheep.

Pearl: I like to delegate. Essie, you find us some farm animals and some hay. Farm animals like hay.

Grace… call Queen E. and tell her we need her to come across the pond ASAP. Maybe she can get those two crazy pilots to bring her…and tell her to bring a lot of hats, and maybe a few crowns.

Grace: Land sakes! this is going to be a lot more fun than Bingo. I never did really catch on to that game. I like Clue and Rummy. Remember that time we popped popcorn and played games because there wasn’t anything good on TV?…

Pearl: Does anyone have any questions? Never mind. Don’t answer that. Let’s all meet out at Pearl’s Fashion house/ Runway/Farm in about two hours…and wear something nice.

Mouse: Well, the farm animals could be interesting. What do you think, Pearl the dog?

Pearl the Dog: I just hope Queen E. doesn’t bring those Corgis. We have enough dogs around here.