June 16, 2019: Savor The Journey
“Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
We’ve just returned from a three-day show in Quechee, Vermont, a Hot Air Balloon and Musical Festival we’ve participated in for four years. The hours are incredibly long, with the gates opening along with the 6 a.m. ascension of the balloons ending after 8 at night, but we love the setting, and most of all the positive energy and enthusiasm of the participants.
“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
However, like all outdoor shows, attendance can be dependent on the weather. If it’s too windy, the balloons won’t rise. If it’s pouring rain, like it did on Sunday, the attendance greatly dwindles.
When we’re busy at a show, the hours seem to fly by. When it’s really slow, the hours can crawl and it becomes a very, long day.. Yet what happened yesterday, reaffirmed once again, how a mindset can make all the difference in the outcome of a day.
Yes, it can be disheartening and tiring to have miserable weather and very few customers, but we didn’t let that dictate what happened . There were a few who grumbled incessantly then actually packed up and left.
But instead of complaining about the dismal skies and lack of attendance, most artists & vendors found ways to turn the positive energy and mood around.
Playing Cards with Photographer Alex Denver and Molly Harper from Soul Pine Pottery
There was visiting (and shopping) back and forth between booths shared ideas, stories told, and lots of laughter.. We couldn’t change circumstances beyond our control, but with our camaraderie chose to make the best of it.
Sharing ideas; stories and laughter with old friends and new ones adds a richness to the show days.(Molly, Linda Garrison (Garrison Creative Glassworks) Nick (Pizza Chef) Artist Amy Hook-Therrien and her dad Robert.
Visiting and Shopping in the booths of other artists like Jason Johnson of Eagle Eye Products yields wonderful finds
One of the artists, who has been participating in this festival for 28 years, described being an artist as a wild ride with the exhilaration of doing what you love and successes far out weighing the hardships and worries. Ron and I have a tradition of asking each other at the end of the day, who was our favorite customer. It has nothing to do whether or not he/she purchased anything. It is a reflection on who did we have the most connection and/or fun with. We do the same when we rdebrief each of the shows we participate in. When we reflect back on this weekend’s show, it won’t be Sunday’s rain and poor attendance we remember, but the connections we made through shared laughter, stories and most of all the fun.
New display for our booth from Eagle Eye Products
Celebrating Some of our Favorite Artists at the Festival for their wonderful creations. Happy Browsing!
Birch Pottery: Artist Molly Harper: https://www.soulpinepottery.com
Metal Designs: Artist Jason Johnson:https://www.eagleeyeproducts.org
Watercolors: Artist: Amy Hook-Therrien:https://amyhooktherrien.com
Pottery: Anny Bossert:https://anneboisvertpottery.com
Blown Glass Designs & Hot Air Balloons: Linda & John Garrison: https://www.gcgw.com
And for great pizza in Quechee, Vermont
Nic’s Pizza Chef: http://www.quecheepizzachef.com