Views of the Neighborhood – Sure Sign of Recovery

A sure sign of recovery in any disaster area is when the folks get together to put on a craft or Garage sale. Well, we had both this week. It is almost as if the last five months have led to pent-up sale demand. We will visit both, but I have to warn you the attendance is a lot less than other events in the past. Since there is a scarcity of housing, it is estimated that three out of four Winter Texans could not find a place this year and stayed home or went somewhere else.

The craft sale.

Craft sale

These are crafts made primarily by Winter Texans.

A lot of shell jewelry. The creator is from North Dakota.

Some nice watercolors.

Some original wood art.

A friendly oil painting artist.

Beads and stuff.

This woman painted the crab and heron.  Both were honored by being duplicated on the side of a ferry. The crab is on the Mark B. Goode and the heron on the William G. Burnet.

Now on to the city-wide garage sale.

 

City Wide Garage sale Port Aransas

This is one of the stores that the owners decided to move away. They are selling everything.

Slim pickings. They were mobbed early. The Producer and I tend to amble in and miss some stuff.

The city-wide sale is all over town. There is a map which you can use to go to all the stops. We went to the civic center, and that was it other than the store above.

Tables filled with typical garage sale fare.

And like most garage sales there is always someone on the phone. I was interested in whatever was free, but I didn’t want to disturb her.

Stuff.

More stuff.

The sale is sponsored by Keep Port Aransas Beautiful. Donations accepted.

Garage sale Port Aransas

You can also join the organization by paying $10.00 or buying a shirt.

It was good seeing people out and about for these two events.

63 comments

  1. I LOVE craft sales. I love meeting the artists and hearing their stories.

    The seashell jewelry is cool stuff! Back in my other life, I used to buy broken china jewelry for my then wife. Like, at least one piece a week. Their business was right across the street from mine, so it became a ritual.

    It’s good to see this. Even if attendance was down, I always believe things can get better.

    Peace

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    1. They will get better. Thanks, Marc.

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      1. Thank you John.

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  2. Omg this event is awesome!!! I love hand made! Thx for sharing..

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    1. Thanks for taking the tour.

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  3. I made it down to the beach yesterday for the first time in ages, and I could have used one of those shell-collecting bags. I love that the ferries have some art on them now, too. I’ve been on both ferries, and have good memories. Actually, it was on a ferry that I bought my first stapled together copy of “You Might Be From Port Aransas If…” for two bucks from a guy who was wandering through the traffic selling them. I wish I still had that. It was funny stuff.

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    1. Sounds funny. I can just imagine one. “You might be from Port Aransas if getting up in the morning is the only thing you accomplish all day.”

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      1. I do remember “You might be from Port Aransas if you spend your ferry time re-wiring the muffler on your truck.” 🙂

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      2. Ha ha ha. Good one.

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  4. Gwen Plano · ·

    Wonderful tour, John. Life is returning and before long, Harvey will fade into the background – something that was but isn’t anymore. Thank you for this glimpse. 🙂

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    1. That is a good way to look at it. Thanks, Gwen. 😀

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  5. Love these recovery posts. Kind of sad that all the tourists stayed away too. That contributes to the businesses closing, etc.

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    1. For sure, Thank, Craig.

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      1. I have a theory that the true story behind the recovery would be interesting as a book. How it changed things, a bit of uplifting stuff, how Spring Break might not feed the coffers. Also how it effected the pets, what happened to Peggy and the alligator, etc.

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      2. Would take a lot of research. Could call it 3000 Voices.

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  6. I can imagine that it’s fun to just walk around and see the stuff and the people.

    I heard a news story on NPR that mentioned rebuilding in Arsnsas County. Is that just the island or is the island part of a larger hunk of land?

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    1. Aransas County is one over. They were hit pretty hard as well.

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  7. Good morning, John,
    I’m so happy for you that it’s going forward in Port A.
    Have a wonderful Sunday,
    Pit

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    1. You as well, Pit. Thank you.

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  8. wow! You Texans bounce back. what a cool event.

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    1. Thank you, Geri. 😀

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  9. John Fioravanti · ·

    Nicely done, John. Most of us enjoy these types of events – personally, I hate being on the ‘selling’ end of a sale. I end up wanting to pop someone being rude.

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    1. Ha ha ha. I could see that.

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  10. Those are definite signs of life returning, John. Good pictures. Have a great week. 🙂 — Suzanne

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    1. You as well, Suzanne. Thank you.

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  11. Wonderful gathering, dear John! True spirit of the better life!

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  12. Said it before and will no doubt say it again – you live in a great community, John! 😀

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    1. Thank you, Jan. It is pretty special.

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  13. I see what you mean about the attendance being low compared to other pictures you’ve shared in the past of these types of events. But, it will come back. I absolutely LOVE the shell jewelry!! Wow!

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    1. Thanks, Jan. I thin once the condos are back in business things will change.

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  14. Great tour, John! You’re blessed to live in such a wonderful community. Happy Sunday! 🙂

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    1. Thank you , Jill. We feel it everyday.

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  15. It does seem that life is gradually returning to normal, John.

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    1. Yes it is. Thanks, Robbie.

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  16. Love those bird pictures. 🙂

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    1. They looked better in person.

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  17. What fabulous events! This is another step toward a town’s full recovery. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. 😀

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  18. I love bazaars and craft sales, even garage sales.
    Great photos, John. Thanks for the tour. Something for everyone, no doubt. 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Tess.

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  19. Some really talented artists.

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  20. I’m sorry that I cannot leave a comment because I am way too busy … but … if I were to leave a comment, I’d say that I liked this post and its message. But, once again, I’m too wrapped up in my own doings to take the time to comment. Maybe next time. Until then, keep up the good work.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, an important author like yourself should not have to explain not leaving comments. I’ll keep going and thank you for not commenting.

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  21. I’m a sucker for original artwork. Looks like some lovely work. I’m also all for donating money towards the rebuild. I adore the support these events had even if it was less than usual.

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    1. Me too. It is nice to see folks trying to rise above. One nice thing the donation (clothes etc) people said demand has fallen off which means people are making it on their own.

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  22. Civic events are a good thing … and the local artisans are back doing their thing!

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    1. For sure. Attendance is way down but the spirit is still there.

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  23. So good to see the recovery, and the success of the craft sale.

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    1. Yes it is. Thank you, Jennie.

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      1. You’re welcome, John.

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  24. Of course, I gravitate to the beaded jewelry, but that painting of an owl is lovely, too. Glad your community held these two events, even if attendance was sparse.

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    1. Me too, Debbie. Thank you.

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  25. I hope it was huge success!

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    1. I think so. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

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  26. I enjoy these posts. It’s great to experience another city from the inside and I can sense the feeling of community.

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    1. Thank you, Rhonda. 😀

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  27. A little sad, but also hopeful. We are a resilient lot, and Texas will be back stronger than ever!

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  28. The human spirit – and it’s love of garage sales – endures, John. Always.

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