An Ode to Florida

As I sit on my stool and patiently wait, I've decided to write an ode, to the Sunshine State.

I stare out of my booth and hope someone will bite, on some of my art, that is all black and white.

It's definitely a sign of challenging times, you know we've heard them all, all of the lines.

"I wish I had space up on my wall, do you do shows here in the fall?"

"Your work is fantastic and you have quite a knack, I'm gonna walk around, and I will be back."

"Is this price firm? I really love the piece." Oy, haggling can be such a beast.

Here comes the judge, hope he's a knowledgeable guy, he gave me a glance, and just walked on by.

There's art on a stick and tiki signs all over the place, children with dirty hands and paint on their face.

Those afternoon thunderstorms that bring us the rain, they give us an excuse to rant and complain.

Ah skeeters and love bugs and ants and gnats, I'll miss the baby strollers filled with dogs and with cats.

I'll miss all the turn signals that constantly blink, and sinkholes in roads that constantly sink.

I'll miss the bagels with cream cheese and lox, but won't miss sandals being worn with stretchy black socks.

There's giant Blue Herons way up in the trees, and manatees frolic in aqua seas.

The clouds are the best and the beaches are white, gators bask in the sun, palm trees wave in the night.

So if an art festival in Florida you desperately seek, look no further, there's 10 every week!

Happy trails to you all, may your art make you smile, as you travel up north, mile after mile.

Until next winter I'm leaving this place, with memories galore and a tan on my face.

I'll be seeing you soon, way down yonder.....in God's waiting room.

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Comments

MICHAEL ALAN STIPEK April 28, 2011 at 4:58pm

Golly folks, out here in the dry, dusty west, it's sunny all the time, even at night and all the shows are as good as Cherry Creek and the states aren't as big as they look on the map. Matter of fact, you can fit all of the states in the Rocky Mtn. region inside of New Hampshire! And, boy, do I have a bridge I can sell you in NYC!

But, we do get a lot of sun - that part is true. And none of the shows are any where close to Cherry Creek - so if you come out here to do shows, don't expect to make a lot of money, but enjoy the great summer weather, play golf or fish or hike or camp. And try some Rocky Mtn. oysters while you're here!
Paul Shatz April 27, 2011 at 1:16pm

Well, let us all hope that the economy in Florida is improved next near.
Marjorie S Rawson April 26, 2011 at 9:10am

LOVE IT!!!! I have a decent tan too....and not enough $ to cover my booth fees at the moment. Florida was a bust.
Nels Johnson April 26, 2011 at 5:56am

Paul Shatz--you rhyme better then Munks' cat.

Nice Ode about being "showed."
S. Michelle Babcock April 26, 2011 at 1:28am

I don't know about dream beach, butI keep dreaming that my house is a lot bigger than it is and that somehow we just forgot about all the extra rooms. One room being a western theatre and stage with large professional kitchen in the back. All covered in cobwebs. And I get really excited and then wake up ready for all that room.
patti stern April 25, 2011 at 10:53pm

okay, this past weekend at the Melbourne art show- a potential customer said to her friends "Oh, this would look great in the kitchen of my beach house" It was our mermaid piece named"Mimi the Mermaid"- so after being schooled in Dale Carnegie selling techniques, I said"where is your beach house?" She said,"Oh, I don't have a beach house, it is my dream beach house" Oy Vey!!!!!
Bill Sargent April 25, 2011 at 11:22am

My most memorable cheap customer incident was during a slow show where we were offering our very small, little, tiny, ten dollar prints just large enough to cover a dollar bill. A lady held up one of them and asked if we had anything smaller. Actually, we did. We have a three inch square nude subtitled "Lose five pounds this weekend.. buy art instead of food". It's only for sale if people ask. She looked at it, smiled, and said she'd be back.
geri a. wegner April 25, 2011 at 11:18am

Having been in Chicago for 11 days, I have seen the sun 3 times and have had to wear a jacket or coat everyday. You have no idea how much I am missing Miami. The value of my home there has increased

at least 50% in my mind. Even an art festival this weekend is not cheering me up. I understand how people suffer from SAD.
Geoff Coe April 25, 2011 at 10:57am

I like it! Fun to look at each couplet and see what location you're describing. The "stretchy black sox" can only be Miami/ Boca Raton!!

A couple of months ago, in the midst of a slow show, I wrote a haiku:

"People to and fro

Love my work but cannot buy

Mortgage due Thursday."