The Reawakening of Our Mighty Country - Time Out #299

Happy birthday Monday to our middle child, Allan Jon, located way up northwest in Juneau, Alaska! We will see you soon, oldest son!

Now, for the rest of today's news, readers in Our Town and far beyond.

It is starting like an tsunami , somewhat small, but steadily building momentum, as I write this weekly installment.

To use a familiar phrase from another time, slightly changed to meet our current situation, "The sleeping giant (America!) is awakening!"

My bride, Lady Deborah and I, have observed this on-going phenomena up close and personal. In fact, the situation sort of blindsided us.

Because I have always been a doer and goer, recently this spring, we drove our family activity vehicle (aka my pickup) 325 miles southeast of Our Town, destination small Canton, TX (population 4,000; located just south I-20, and east of Dallas). We attended a Saturday session of First Monday Trade Days on a beautiful spring day in the Lone Star State. My bride and I have been to this event several times over the years, but it hasn't popped up on our travel radar now for a few seasons. This incredible happening occurs once monthly, rain or shine, although the Covid-19 pandemic caused some activity alterations, possibly the first time since it began around 1850? It promotes itself as our country's largest flea market, 7,000 vendors, spread out over 80 acres, and the 4-day once per month attendees may easily total over 200,000 folks. I have written about our visiting this special place in a past article, but this latest visit was an absolute whopper for sure!

Why so remarkable this trip you might ask?

Because for well over a year now, Americans have mostly been isolated in their homes, very afraid to do anything, aside from looking at their 4-walls, cell phones, computers, televisions, and family members, because of the absolute fear of contracting the deadly Covid-19 virus. After experiencing Canton this time, it certainly appears most fears about the pandemic are relocating into our rear view mirrors!

Trying to get to the main site, a mile south of the interstate highway, was a chore in itself. Highway 19 is a 4-lane road, and the 2 lanes going toward the venue were bumper-to-bumper for the entire mile. It reminded me of an OU vs. OSU football game traffic in Our Town every other season. Once at the trade site, then parking became an Olympic event. My driver's head was on an absolute swivel, trying to locate a spot to park my vehicle, while not having a fender-bender in one of their many massive grass lots.

Once physically inside our first sale area, we were quickly introduced to hordes and hordes of both shoppers and their leashed dogs. Remember, the weather was absolutely wonderful, and the crowds of people were now away from home, enjoying their experiences!. In their minds, they were free!! Probably about 5-percent were wearing face coverings. Business deals with the vendors appeared to be brisk, but when I asked one of the vendors sitting in her booth about her sales, she remarked there were a lot of "lookie lues", not great numbers of buyers. I told her, in my humble opinion, the masses of folks were simply glad just to get out of their homes after month upon month of self-isolation/quarantine.

Ms. Debbie and I joined up with our youngest child, Robbie, his wife, CeCe, and her parents, Becky and David Noland. Her folks live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and had driven down to spend some time in Dallas with the young couple and Linus, their dog. We all had a nice lunch, but, of course, had to stand in a long line before ordering our food. After eating, my bride and I did another hour of shopping, and even finally purchased a few items. However, we probably would have bought more "stuff", but our bodies/legs became fatigued after walking over 4 miles. Normally, we cover the vast shopping territory at Canton via rented on-site scooters. Aboard one, I always feel like I'm experiencing a carnival ride the entire time I pilot one through vast shopping areas. However, this occasion, we arrived about 2 hours after the facility had opened, and were told ALL their MANY scooters had been rented in less than 1 hour after the park had opened! This news was a real bummer for me, forcing me to walk!

Oh, well, since First Monday Trade Days have been an item for over 170 years and counting, I am sure my bride and I will re-visit it again many future times. Because of our last human re-awakening experience there, however, we will probably return visit either on a Thursday or a Friday; hopefully, less like-minded shoppers during those weekdays