Yesterday’s post left off with a promise to tell about the good parts of the Visalia Taste the Arts show.  Just call me List Lady. . .

1. Very very well organized
2. Great booth space
3. No charge for the booth
4. Shade!!
5. Unloading and loading right at the booth site.
6. Free lunch and bottled water
7. Booth sitting so the artists could have a break
8. My very dear friend spent the day there with me
9. I saw some former drawing students, some old friends, and received a HUGE surprise (stay tuned)
10. I sold some cards (I know, I’m really really trying to look on the bright side here)
11. Everything fit perfectly and easily in and on my Honda Accord coupe. (I ain’t driving no Mommy-mobile and don’t you forget it!)
12. They gave permission to pack up and leave before 6, so I was loaded and outta there by 5:30, all with hand signals because my 2 helpers and I couldn’t hear a single thing due to the loudest band of the day.

The HUGE surprise? My cousins from Sandy Eggo County have been teasing me about just driving up to surprise me at a show sometime. THEY CAME!!!

I’m still in shock and disbelief. We had a wonderful visit shouting at one another in the heat, and I will never forget the thrill and fun of suddenly realizing the couple standing outside and staring at me was my own family. (They had an unfair advantage because they both wore dark sunglasses while I was wearing a name tag.) When it was announced that a drumming group was up next, they decided it was time to go. They shall remain anonymous for purposes of privacy in this World Wide Web, but suffice it to say that this was definitely the highlight of a VERY VERY HOT and VERY VERY LOUD show.

Straight talk? Not doing this one again. We can figure out a family reunion some easier way.