A humble farmers market.
For most a cathartic experiance, in both retail and fresh air.
And then there's...
"THIS is so boring -" Louise's voice resonated as a chainsaw in the early Sunday light. "That had to be the third place that sold bunches of flowers since we got here."
"Fourth -"
Her older sister Tina corrected.
"Third was between the flavored honey and fancy popcorn stalls."
"Well if it's not served with the latest blockbuster I'm not interested -" Gene tried to remain nonplussed and unimpressed until a platter of napkins and technicolor puffs caught his eye.
"Ooo... Free samples!"
Linda lost sight of her youngest and oldest while trying to keep the middle one from having her family banned from another community event.
Where was Bob?
Probably tasting the olive oil - again - in attempting to better understand allure of his nemis' establishment across the street.
But...
Tina and Louise wandered over to a stall they hadn't noticed until then.
Pastel Pompadour Accessories / for all ages.
"Must've set up while Dad stopped for another breakfast hot dog."
"Yeah because that's so essential," Louise quipped looking over the merchandise - various straw hats and bonnets.
"Just as this is..."
She picked up a faded pink bonnet.
"It's like the old movie with the magic chalk drawings, dancing penguins and chimney sweep."
Tina felt compelled to add her own thoughts; disguising the one which believed there was something familiar in its design.
"A straw hat was fashionable for both genders of the era."
It was faded pink and slopped sides.
"Straw could be worn just about almost anywhere; bleached or darkened woven..."
Louise thought it almost looked - familar.
"May I help you young ladies?"
Polite, with just a trace of an accent, an older woman nearly materialized - carrying some assorted rejected flora from the aforementioned bouquet stalls.
"These need the help lady!"
Louise had about as much patience left as tact.
"Nobody wears THIS style in this town or them that does who wears it past the weekend."
None.
Tina stepped between them.
"Do you have anything in a dusty primary, latter century Victorian?"
Her sisters brash attitude could be a bit much for those not used to it.
To their surprise the old woman laughed.
Not much different from thier mother.
"It's only the acclimation from the dew, perhaps some fresh adornment?"
Tina was impressed.
"Wow..."
As was Louise but she tried to ignore it.
But...
The woman had offered a small bunch of the flowers she had made while they were speaking.
Curled at the ends that could thus be fastened to...
"I don't darn for anyone -" Louise attempted awkwardly to put back what she had been holding.
"No one takes my ears."
The bright chapeau which might've had room for her ears if she'd worn it forward enough.
"There was that one time -"
And taken some of the glare from...
"Taken. BIG difference."
Louise cringed at the memory. Suddenly feeling vulnerable and thus very uncomfortable she nabbed her sister's other hand, all but dragging them away, before any further transaction could take place.
"Come on I'll let you tell me about the medical benefits of beeswax."
They didn't notice the hat which Louise had dropped was picked up and moved to a less obvious position on the display.
"She'll be back."
Pamela smiled as she began weaving some additional floral accessories.
