This is a week off the Market we run.  We have it the 1st and 3rd Wednesday and Saturday each month.  All proceeds go to a food pantry.
One of the advantages of running such a thing is we are the first to see what will be for sale.  Stuff donated was destined either for the dump or another charity.
What never ceases to amaze me is the worth of things donated which cost a maximum of $2 to purchase.  The man bag I use all the time was a market item.  I had never thought of using such a thing but I can see why such things are used.
Maybe I am taking it too far but I tell Merril occasionally that my man bag and I are having a moment.  It is like a permanent fixture of mine.  Well, it is a permanent fixture when I have trouble getting it off.  I normally like to fight such battles in private.
I am constantly amazed at uses people have for items.  One person bought a pile of bambo plates.  The reason was they like to but figurines on such things.  Another person bought some toy soldiers we had in packets.  The reason.  They paint them and display them.
I must confess I have a dinosaur I keep at the front of our shed.  He likes to keep a low profile.  I think it may be too low a profile as no one notices him.
That is not to be confused with the dinosaur I keep on our letter box.  He looks ferocious but I have my doubts he is being taken seriously.  We still get bills.  Also I recently got a picture of a bug on him.  The bug did not appear threatened at all by the teeth on display.  The time is fast approaching I need to bring him in for the night.  We had one disappear one Halloween night - It was a pity as even though I do not remember what he looked like, and he had never been given a name, we were close.
For sure there is some interesting stuff at the market.  I am pleased to say the vast majority of stuff goes to those who can use it and feel they are getting a bargain.

I like something I read yesterday.  It can be applied to many things – even our yard!  It is a quote from C.S.Lewis. “Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for desires exists.  A baby feels hunger; well there is such a thing as food.  A duckling wants to swim; well there is such a thing as water."
I would add a bird wants to fly; well there is such a thing as air to fly in.  But the way the birds carry on, sometimes I would not know.  They seem to enjoy walking.  When getting out of the way of the car so often they seem to walk away rather than fly away.  It causes us a bit of angst as they seem to not mind going close.
I will never forget as a kid sitting in the back seat of a car seeing a bird on the road.  I pointed it out to the driver.  They said, “these birds have a special way of getting under the car.”  I looked back and there was the bird sprawled out on the road.  It seems their “special way” was to die!
Our yard looks a picture when looked after.  Given time it looks daggy again.  It is a cycle.  My desire is it look tidy.  Satisfaction exists.  In this instance not by itself but when we make it happen.
It seems satisfaction for desires exist but can be contested too.  If a baby does not get food, it dies.  It is totally dependant on another to see its desires satisfied.  A duck wants to swim, but there is water that is turbulent.  Not all water is an environment that promotes peace and tranquillity.  Our yard can be a picture.  But there are weeds and leaves and uncontrolled growth that cause it to be another way.
In every instance it may be another or myself that is needed to bring about satisfaction of a desire of mine.

Happy Birthday Merril!!
Different day today.  Big start.
I have guys over the 2nd Saturday of the month.  A couple of guys cook sausages, bacon and onions on the BBQ, and Merril graciously does eggs and then disappears.  We eat, then have a guy speak about things that matter to them, then we go home.  For me that is not far.
And today happens to be Merril’s birthday too.  I went shopping yesterday morning.  Merril had something she went to, and I took the car.  She had said “have fun shopping.”  Really I wondered if those words go together.
I had decided that Friday was the day I would get presents and take them home and wrap them. Then go pick up Merril.
It actually went according to plan.  I managed to get presents from four different places.  Someone else bought me a present for Merril from a place they were visiting.  I actually had not realized it was a group post saying they were going to a certain place.  So I asked if something cold be gotten for me as a present for Merril.  I did not realize my post had gone to Merril to.  Doh! It was going to be a surprise to us both.
I won’t go into what I got as Merril has yet to open her presents.  But I was quite pleased.  It is hard buying for someone who cannot say what they want.  I actually understand that as I once got a “belly button warmer” addressed “to someone who has everything.”  The reason for that impression was that I did not know what I wanted.
I must say.  Well, “must” is probably not right.  I do say that it is had when you have enough and are content.  I consider we in this country and in our circumstances are blessed.  As far as I can tell we have a lot to be thankful for.
Anyway today sees a big start and then things settle.  Right now it is all go.  Down the track it will be more “chill.”