Slightly Off Center

Swapped out some plates from storage to the van on Thursday, which allowed me to set the table with a watery theme. I take a lot of time with these, maybe too much, for shore, when I could probably just coast.

(snerk!)

Had an older woman in the booth yesterday, asking if I would be at Holiday Market this year. I gently explained that, yes, I was, and so was she. That this was what Holiday Market looked like in a pandemic.

Big difference is how full the Market was. I don't think I've seen this many vendors all summer; every second space was occupied. I'm slightly offset from my usual space, but still in a familiar location. For the season they're allowing some of us to use 10x10' canopies instead of the usual 8x8s. The display still needs to be restricted to the eight-foot square, but this allows more covered space for customers (in outward-facing displays) or for dry storage (for me). I wasn't sure it was worth it as I struggled with the setup, but ultimately I enjoyed the extra space, and I really think I'll need it if it rains.


One thing I didn't turn out to need: the battery-powered heater. I lugged the battery, inverter and heater down to the Park Blocks, but never hooked things up. More of use was the squares of rubber floor mat, that insulated my feet from cold concrete. Toes still got cold, but not nearly as much as they would have otherwise.

Once again, I did layers: sweatshirt and denim jacket for set-up; sweater and full-Wisconsin Thinsulate coat for the rest of the day. Fingerless gloves, of course, though I also had mittens and full-finger gloves if necessary. Two scarves, my wool cap, with a stocking hat in my pocket if needed.

One thing I wish I'd brought was another mask. I wore one during set-up that got thoroughly soaked between sweat and breath, traded out for the bear mask during the day. Wish I'd another dry one at load-out, as it's hard to suck air through a wet mask.

Felt weird to be packing up at 3 pm, but the sun was already down before I finished packing the van, so I'm glad for the short schedule.

Had a weird moment during set-up--a guy walking down Park Street calling sarcastically "Here, hippy, hippy, hippy!" Dude, that was fifty years ago. We're all self-employed small business owners now.