Gil's Pics

Gil — Bernalillo, New Mexico, January 7, 2012

Captured on a cold and windy night (okay, technically it was daytime, but “night” just fits better), this photo was taken in Bernalillo, New Mexico with the Sandia Mountains — also known as the East Mountains — standing proud in the background. Fun fact: Sandia is Spanish for “watermelon,” a name inspired by the mountain’s pinkish hue at sunset. A moment from the Southwest, frozen in time.

Road Trip Re-Routed — January 7, 2012

This photo was taken on the same cold and windy day — January 7, 2012 — when Joy and I set out for a day ride to Farmington, New Mexico. That plan quickly changed. White-out conditions made the trip dangerous, if not impossible, so we turned around and headed the other way toward Placitas, just to enjoy the ride. Farmington had to wait, but we eventually made it there a few weeks later when the weather was far more cooperative.

Flea Market Morning — November 6, 2005

It was early morning on November 6, 2005, and I’d paused under the concession door of our flea market trailer — taking a break from setup duties just long enough to get my picture taken. That photo marks a moment near the end of an era; I left the flea market about six months later. It had been good for a bit of extra money, and it came with its share of memories. Below are some archived photos of our actual setup — snapshots of a time when weekends meant trailers, tables, and the hum of bargain hunting. 

 These are photos taken in about 2003.

 We were still doing lots of toys and scooters.

Did we have a lot of stuff?  Yep.

Beside toys and trading cards, we also carried incense and oils. 

Deals and Dice — Flea Market Finds

One of my special purchases at the flea market was a batch of decoupage wrestling clocks — originally priced at $10 each. I struck a deal and bought out the entire stock from another vendor for just $2 apiece. Not bad for a bit of wheeling and dealing.

In the photo, you’ll see a cage that looks a bit like an hourglass — that’s a dice cage. Players would roll three dice, and if they landed a pair or three-of-a-kind, they’d win a nice prize. Didn’t roll a match? No problem — you still walked away with a prize worth a buck. It was one of those “everyone wins” setups to keep things fun and above board.

Shade and Shelf Pulls — Memories From Early 2000

Back in early 2000, we didn’t have a trailer yet — just a long stretch of canopies, about 70 feet worth, set up in the southwest corner of the flea market. Our spot was tucked under a big billboard, complete with the usual pigeon droppings that came with the territory. We hauled our merchandise in a 22-foot box truck and sold close-dated, reset, and distressed goods pulled straight from store shelves. Bargains with a backstory.

In this photo, I’m under one of those canopies, soaking up the shade and taking a breather. It was gritty, it was busy, and it was a good way to make a little extra money.

Gil’s “Herculean” Feat — July 8, 2015

On the 19th celebration of his 42nd birthday (you do the math), Gil took on a mighty challenge: lifting a HUGE tool chest he’d just received as a gift. And yes — he did it! A truly amazing feat of strength and determination.

Did I mention the box was empty? No? Oops… my bad. LOL.

The Meaning of 42 (According to Gil)

You can’t teach an old Gil old tricks — especially once he hits 42. That’s about when the counting stopped and the brain started taking creative detours. Now, if you’re a science fiction fan, you already know that 42 is the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything,” according to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

But for me? 42 is just the highest number I ever bothered to learn. After that, it’s all a blur. Truth be told, I was really 61 at the time… or so I’ve been told. But hey, who’s counting?