The old EZ Up at the 2011 Land of the Loon Show
My left shoulder, the one that got blasted in a car accident back in January of 2010 (don’t get me started!) has finally broken down to the point where it needs surgical help. I can work through most pain and, in fact, over the past two years, that’s what I’ve been trying to do: rebuild the muscle in the shoulder and upper arm through stretches and exercise. But you can’t rebuild torn tissue by working out and so, it’s off to the surgeon I go. You know it’s time to go in when you can’t sleep through the night anymore without pain pills.
I’d pretty much cut my summer outdoor craft shows to one, the best one, the Blueberry Arts Festival in Ely, before the MRI showed the damage. I’ve done the Ely show for years and it’s always been my most productive. So even with the severe downturn in the economy and its adverse impact on craft show vendors (including me!), and even after I eliminated every other outdoor show, I kept Blueberry on my calendar. But no more. With my upcoming surgery making it impossible for me to tote books, concrete benches, and set up the EZ Up, it’s time to leave the outdoor craft fair circuit in my rear view mirror. So I have bowed out of this year’s Blueberry and I don’t plan on doing outdoor shows in the future. I’ll miss the two Ely shows most of all because I’ll miss hearing my buddy Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys playing in the background as I sell books. And I’ll miss staying at the Korman cabin down the road and drinking beer with Uncle Buck. But life is about change, right? And change I must.
You’ll still be able to catch up with me at indoor arts and crafts events, and at libraries and bookstores. Just keep on an eye on this website for announcements or periodically check the calendar on this site. And if you are a member of a book club and like one of my books, ask me to come and talk about the book and writing with your group. I love doing book clubs because I learn more from you guys than you’ll ever learn from me.
To those loyal readers who found me year after year at the Blueberry Festival and Harvest Moon in Ely, or Mines and Pines in Hibbing, or the Cranberry Fest in Warrens, or the Apple Festival in Bayfield, or Fall Fest in Chester Park, or the myriad of other outdoor shows I’ve done over the past 12 years, thank you for you support and your readership. I hope our paths cross again. But it won’t be in an EZ Up!
Peace.
Mark
