Read your blog and really enjoyed it! I have been to the Canton first Monday flea market twice, and enjoyed it both times. But that was years ago and I am sure it has grown a lot since I was there. I still have some things I bought there and used as patterns for our wooden items. We had been doing shows in that area, and were running short on stock so we also bought a 3-wheeled bandsaw, to cut with while on the road. We didn't have all the sanders that we had at home, but we made do. Fond memories!!

LI is an island east of NY City.

The Michigan State Master Gardner's page has a nice "You Might Be A Master Gardner If ... page. These are sayings posted from people in the same vein as the David Letterman Top 10 List. There are many more than 10 that include sayings like, you might be a master gardner if ...your wedding ring spends more time on the ledge above the sink than on your hand. or ...youÂre shoveling snow out of the flower beds in late fall/early winter so you can plant just one more batch of spring bulbs! or ...you once blinked and missed summer. or ...your hands are clean when you leave the house but by the time you get to work there is dirt under your nails. How did that happen? or ...you can't see why no one makes "I Brake for Garden Centers" bumper stickers. or ...you pack two friends in the front of a pick-up, drive 35 minutes to a great plant shop, fill the 8 ft pick-up truck full and the front of the cab, barely seeing anyone but the driver and then head to another plant shop, just in case they have something you REALLY need! It's really fun reading and a good idea. Here is a link that might be useful: You might be a Master Gardner if . . .

Oh cool, Bee! Thanks so much for posting. I have bought several things from first dibs, including at least four pieces of furniture. No bargains, but one of a kind stuff with which I have been very happy. Because I am trying to stick to a rule of only vintage, handmade, or local , for my new project (appliances and upholstery excluded), I started my first foray onto Criagslist and found something perfect. Vintage wicker, only $150. And while a lot of CL stuff is either in the middle of nowhere, or in iffy areas, this was for sale in a nice town i know well near my son's school. But I told myself I shouldnt buy anything until we at least closed on the new house! In the meantime, someone else snatched this up! Lesson learned...