FLORENCE COLORADO: To My Readers A BIG THANK YOU!

 

I've basically been gone for the past five years due to some known illnesses and a medical mystery to still be solved. I had no idea people were still reading this blog.

But apologies to all who have hung in with me. I just realized tonight (after 5-year gap and being on meds that affect my brain a bit) that there is a place on this blog to moderate comments. SORRY for the very long delay. I went and posted all the ones (even of people who might have different opinions than I do) because I value differences. What I am sorry for is that people might have thought I was ignoring them or not posting because I didn't like the comments.

No. A good day is a happy dance for me. Even a spiritual happy dance. And that dance is happier when I see the evidence of a human connection or sharing that helps us both out even if we see things differently. Even a brief blog comment.

As long as you have dancing with a bear on your bucket list--you are part of my tribe Just teasing. And thank you all! I love comments.

Florence Colorado ANTIQUES CONFIDENTIAL: Is the skeleton's name Bones or Boner?

 

True story. About me and a skeleton named Boner. When I was an adorable child I never thought I'd grown up and write about boners in the antiques capital of Colorado. Or anywhere for that matter.

OK, I've apparently had this blog for 10 yesrs. I say apparently, because I've been ill for many years (and still am a bit) so I haven't witten or even looked at my blog for years.

The first years as you can see where all about antiques in Florence, Colorado and a few other happy or interesting things about the area. I was having a blast sharing because I really like this area of beautiful Colorado.

I worked at an antques shop and then an antiques mall for about six years. The more I worked, the more I saw. Happy and fun co-workers and customers. And then boners, crime and secrets I am slightly certain that most Florence businesspeople would not want to get out.

Someone asked how it was working at such and such store. I said,"The person has NO business running a business. He is an abuser and I won't talk about it until the time is right or people pass away(of natural causes of course, but the more I've seen and heard natural causes or accidents might not be that accurate)."

The said person is not dead but is out of business and moved out of state. Many of the people involved are truly dead--so the true stories about them won't hurt anyone. While I will not use real names, some folks might know who I am referring to and I don't want to cause anyone negative emotions or hurt the relatives of the dead people or the town in general. And while I am attempting to really not have them identified--my attitude is the same as most writers--don't do anything so stupid in the first place  that you'd be embarrassed if someone wrote a true story mentiong you.

This is my first post about behind the scenes in Florence. I will always put antiques confidential in the titles so they will be easy to find. And many of these antiques capital behind-the-scenes looks will also have What The Frog in search engine labels. Because, yes, most of behind-the-scenes stories are simply ridiculous and of course as they are happening to me--or people I know--I'm not thinking What The Frog, but don't want to offend people using the F word overly much.

Florence has many fun events like Pioneer Days with a parade. Car show. Junktique, etc. I was working at ye olde antiques mall when a fellow about my age in my late 50s then (maybe a touch older) asked me to come see his skeleton named Boner. Oh yes! I was dreaming of the day I would be shown a Boner skeleton. But since I am representing a very nice antiques mall, I didn't feel like saying."Get the fluck away from me you possibly creepy arsehole!" The skeleton was visible on his vehicle just across the street from me.

I went to see Boner. I guess I showed JUST enough interest but not enough to get the full Boner treatment. Fast forward to the year after meeting Boner for the first time. Apparently Boner's owne remembered me from last year during this event--according to what appeared to be a female friend of his.

 Boner's owner, for some reason I can't recall, decided to follow me back to the mall just across the street when I told him I had to get back to work. Break over. He scooped Boner up to show others in  the antiques mall and trotted behind me holding Boner. I open the door with him hot on my trail and look at my co-workers semi-shocked faces of seeing a man following me clutching a full-sized skeleton. I quickly said,"This is so-and-so who wants to show you his cool skeleton, Bones." You think the dumb idiot took my hint? After all the antiques mall is jammed with customers and I don't freaking want the word BONER screamed out loud. Or even whispered.

Well I didn't get my wish. I don't guess people clutching Boners have much self awareness or emotional intellegence or common sense.

He screams so the whole mall hears," HIS NAME IS BONER! THIS IS  A BONER!"

I don't even have the words--except to recount another boner story. WHAT THE FROG??!!! There are TWO boner stories in Florence the classy antiques capital of Colorado? Yes! Yes there are!

This one involves a former friend of mine. A gentleman who used to stop in Florence's shops just to vist with folks. He is an intellegent and pleasant person. He was honest in some ways and told me he struggled with mental health issues more than the average person. I didn't notice how much a struggle until one day I was just standing in the mall--not saying a word and certainly not talking about religion or politics at any time. He screamed at me"You fucking Nazi!" I was so stunned I didn't say anything. Then he told me I drove him crazy. In fact, I offered to be his friend and to drive him to medical appointments  and told him he would never be alone if he got sick or or needed someone a few blocks away to bring him medicine or soup, etc. He quickly went back to normal and realized who he was talking to--but never explained why he thought I was a Nazi.

So one day I am having a pedicure in Florence. And I didn't bring it up that I even knew this dude. But the lady who was salon co-owner was like me--in that she always wanted to see people happy and find someone to pal around with if they were lonely. 

The salon owner was telling Nazi-calling guy that she was happy he found a lady friend, I think it was someone she knew, that was kind and a great dinner and lunch companion.  He had made no bones (pun intended) to me and many others apparently he was lonely as hell and had no family to speak of  and they lived far away.

And here we go again. The salon was filled with customers and Nazi yells out,"What do you mean a friend?!!! I WANT TO BONE HER!!!"

Yeah! Yippe! Boy have a I got a guy  that I need to introduce Nazi to with the perfect ice breaker men across all economic and social stratas need to carry everywhe so women TRULY know the dude isn't just angling for a lunch companion.

I'm digging up bones. But the bones are stories that are ridiculously sad and funny at the same time.

Florence, Colorado: On This Month's Cover Of The Grapevine Magazine

Hot off the presses! The Grapevine Magazine, from Pueblo, is featuring, Florence--The Antiques Capital of Colorado in this month's issue.

The magazine serves southern Colorado and features stories about local businesses, inspirational people and fun things to do.

The Grapevine is free and is at many businesses in Florence, including The Loralie Antiques Mall.

Once again, our little burg, is a rock star. Rock on Florence!

Visit the Grapevine Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pueblograpevine/

Florence, Colorado: Featured In Current Issue Of Colorado Life Magazine

It's finally happened! Florence, the antiques capital of Colorado, is featured in the May/June issue of Colorado Life magazine.

For a sneak peek of the Florence article: http://www.coloradolifemagazine.com/June-2018/Florence-Antiques/

To read the entire article, one has to get a paper copy. Those are available at Big D Supermarket and Dollar General in Florence, as well as Safeway and City Market in Canon City. Plans are also underway to have Colorado Life magazines available for sale in many of Florence's antiques shops and other businesses.

Florence, Colorado: Does This Mustache Distract From My Bad Hair Day?

Does this wax mustache distract from my bad hair day?

Just so you know, every day is a bad hair day with me.

Before I don a waxy candy mustache, I like to make sure it has some fashion or beauty purpose. I thought it would cover my laugh lines. Nope.

It makes my hair look even more like a weed whacker had its way with me.

But, alas, I finally found the benefit. It covers my REAL mustache. You know, that one that no amount of waxing, plucking or screaming can rid of.

So, why would I humiliate myself with this yummy mustache?

For the sake of Florence of course.

So stay tuned on the details of the FREE Mustache Day we are planning on the day of the 17th annual Florence Merchants' Association Car Show--Sunday, May 20.

UPDATE: My wax mustache is grape-flavored. Turns out that even wholesale, wax mustaches are slightly pricey--so we will be giving away FREE fuzzy mustaches instead of wax. No worries--it's easier to talk with the adhesive fuzzy ones.

Florence, Colorado: FUN ALERT! The Florence Consignment Corner Grand Reopening

There aren't many guarantees in life--but I can almost guarantee that going to the Florence Consignment Corner, is the most fun you'll have shopping and browsing in a long time.

I've been saying that Florence is the FUNkytown of Fremont County for years. No one believed me. But, aha, now I have real proof.

                                                    FUN MERCHANDISE? HECK, YEAH!

Many folks visited the Florence Consignment Corner during the past year, when it was located in the old NAPA building on Main St. It was fun the past year--but now FCC has a bigger location,  at 118 W. Main St. in the old Tru Value Building.

So there is more room for fun merchandise. FCC has been open in the new location since March 1 and on Saturday, March 31, will have its grand reopening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Yes, there will be door prize drawings.

                                                 GRAND REOPENING DOOR PRIZES

That's just a small sampling of the door prizes. Many of the FCC vendors will be donating FUN items for the drawings. I heard a rumor that one vendor donated a basket of nostalgic candy for the drawing--and there just might be some wax candy lips and other outrageously fun items in the basket.

There will be free refreshments and snacks--while they last. And there will be free fresh homemade fudge samples. In case you missed it, here's a link to a recent blog post about the fudge: https://truestoryclub.blogspot.com/2018/03/florence-colorado-life-is-better-with.html

                                               NORRIS YOUNGS SERVING UP FUDGE AT FCC

OK, I know all of you that can make it, will attend the grand reopening this Saturday. But those of you who can't...I know you'll make it to FCC as soon as you can. But in the meantime, lets take a blog tour of this store. FCC already attracts lots of local shoppers and browsers, but I'm fairly certain that FCC will also be even more widely known as a tourist destination.

I'll let you judge why that might be so. But my opinion is: I've never seen a store that has such a wide variety of EVERYTHING! Most of us have been to antiques malls. FCC is not an antiques store, but has lots of antiques and collectibles. It's not an indoor flea market, but it has practical tools and household items, without being junky. It has packaged food items and candy. It has artwork and handcrafts.

OK, enough! It would take less time to list what they don't have. Let's have some fun on our tour, which barely scratches the surface of this fun emporium.

Hands down (or up) the funnest chair ever. Just make sure you aim your descent correctly or you might get a surprise.

FCC co-owner Donny Hakes checks out a giraffe.

FCC has a great offering of Watkins products from toiletries, cleaning supplies to spices. Imagine this. You can purchase some Watkins spices.

Get cooking on some quality cast iron cookware and...

Then cook it all up vintage style on this cook stove.

Speaking of yummy things...This is one of my favorite booths in FCC. These vendors from Walsenburg have some great Colorado bread and cookie mixes. We purchased some to include in a gift basket for a charity event (in Denver) to highlight all the diversity of goods and businesses in southern Colorado to our neighbors to the north.

Cool antiques--and is that the famous kitchen sink next to the gasoline sign? I will spare you all--and not make any jokes about the FCC having everything including the kitchen sink. Wait, that's a bathroom sink--so we are all safe. But they do have kitchen sinks too.

And they have a basket of Betty Boops. Not just anyone can claim that!

And absolutely gorgeous artwork to fit any budget or decor.

I want y'all to check out Florence Consignment Corner's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/findalmostanything/ Notice it says, find almost anything. True. True of FCC and Florence in general.

Thanks to Donny and Molly Hakes, co-owners of FCC, who gave me permission to use a few of their photos for this post. Some of the photos used were taken by me--but their photos are better.

And don't forget the grand reopening March 31 at 118 W. Main St.

Florence,Colorado: We Don't Love Our Dinosaurs Extra Crispy In Colorado

We don't love our dinosaurs extra crispy in Colorado. (Twilight Zone music plays.) Or do we?

I'm the type that loves to find the fun and humor in most anything, as long as no one got hurt. And since no one got hurt--except the unfortunate T-Rex at the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience outside of Canon City--we get to find the good in a dinosaur going out in a blaze of glory.

For those who haven't heard, there was an apparent electrical malfunction at the dino attraction and bye bye Dino.

                                                 It's NOT Special Effects--It's Real

You can read all about at: Roaring fire takes down Royal Gorge Dinosaur's T-Rex: http://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/news/canoncity-local-news/ci_31753822/roaring-fire-takes-down-royal-gorge-dinosaurs-t via @CCDR_news

My first thought was: Flipping Flintstones! I haven't been to the Dinosaur Experience yet--and my luck is that the T-Rex would implode a few weeks before I got out there.

In case you think I am a whiner, I am generally not. But I've had a few experiences that just when I get ready or finally see a tourist attraction--something goes wrong. The most notable was when I FINALLY got to Paris, of course I wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. I did. But I wanted to go inside the Eiffel Tower. Oh, heck no. The Eiffel Tower was closed. I had no idea they closed the Eiffel Tower. But I guess they knew I was coming.

I guess the T-Rex outside of Canon City knew I was planning on a trip and decided to go to dino heaven instead.

But, the Dinosaur Experience is not closed--and I understand from local news reports that a new T-Rex will be installed before the summer rush. Whew! I'll carry a portable fire extinguisher just in case.

I also understand that pictures and videos of this flaming dino have went viral--across the nation and the world.

Who knew that a flaming dino would accidentally get Fremont County bazillions of dollars of free publicity worldwide. And yes, this county is pretty cool. And also pretty hot when dinos catch fire.

But all the attractions are open for business, so I'll see you there. Yes, you'll be able to recognize me by my fire extinguisher with the dino stickers on it.