Back in '94, our first season at the PA Faire, I discovered a whole new world: the merriment, exuberance & commitment of patrons and merchants. Years before, while living in Lancaster, friends encouraged me to attend this "novelty event" with them & I just shrugged and said I didn't think it was my cup of tea.

Then, when my husband was hired to work there as a performer, I got a job managing the Brass Rubbings Shop (alas, no longer there). I fell in love with the place. A truly awesome experience to be a part of such energy and creativity. And then, with a friend's encouragement, I wrote a very long proposal, referencing all sorts of Medieval & Renaissance herbs, handed it to the Faire's owner and then, a year later, I started digging the earth to create my own herb garden in a special little corner of our Shire.

Marvelous people volunteered to help me build my shop. I was in awe of the experience. I barely made any money the first few years, but it was a labor of love (so many people thought it was just a garden and it took time to lure them into the shop itself). And my husband and son were with me through it all. What job gets any better? Now, with 2 shops and a year round effort to keep up with product production, I'm still not getting rich, but I am very gratified by the warmth and friendship of so many remarkable patrons, as well as my fellow merchants. Could it get any better? Who knew!

By the way, we've been having various email glitches for the past couple of weeks, so I've either received some notes several times, or, perhaps, not at all. So, if you'd like to be on my friends list, and don't think I noticed, please don't hestiate to try again. I'm still catching up on this email snafu, rats!

Cheers & be well.