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| Caleb cooperating momentarily with a press photographer. Not his best angle, but the best that could be managed given his naughty behavior. |
It's official that our Pop Up shop is the only antiques shop in the country selling at wholesale prices direct to the public. Yay for not having massive expenses! Everyone is happy, and we've been selling well every day.
Day
Three saw Caleb recommence managerial duties and he was one
unhappy vegemite, let me tell you.
I
had Calypso in for Days One and Two, and again here today for Day Four. After some initial hesitancy in a new
environment, she quickly remembered that she loves being Shop Manager. When she isn’t lounging around on my lap, she’s
been striking I’m-drop-dead-gorgeous poses for her new legions of fans to
photograph. She won’t sit still for me
to photograph her today, though. If I’m in range,
I’m there to be sat on.
But
Caleb wanted none of that. He’s two years
old now, and for the last year has enjoyed running amok, being entirely
indulged and more-or-less his own boss.
I knew that something had to be done to bring him into line, but unless
I physically chain him to me it’s hard to find the time needed to impose the
discipline he needs.
 |
| We provide a one-stop coffee service - you can have a fabulous French coffee grinder, followed by a fabulous Italian stove-top coffee maker. We even have the espresso cups and saucers. |
But
now I have time and the chain. So it was
on.
When
he was a baby and first came to our old shop, for the first little while there
were nonstop tantrums and pussycat meltdowns when he realized he had to do as I
say and not as he wanted. And it was
loud – way loud – but kind of cute having this very assertive Alpha kitten
screech his lungs out while telling me off.
But
now he weighs 7kg, and his screeching also includes a good selection of deep,
guttural growls and bare-your-fangs-and-look-like-you-mean-it snarls and
hisses.
 |
| Royal Worcestor is an extraordinarily good English ceramics brand. This blue dragon cake plate dates to about 1940 and is $35. |
But
guess what? I weigh more than 7kg – how
rude of you to wonder just how much more – and I’m not one bit scared of
screeching or growling or hissyfit snarling.
Plus I had tasty bribes in my arsenal and a determination to outlast one
petulant pussycat.
So
in the end Caleb settled down on the bed I made for him on my desk, and decided
he wanted to be a good boy afterall.
Once we establish that he really is a good boy and this isn’t a cunning plan
designed to lure me into prematurely trusting him, he will be allowed more
freedom to sit where he wants. Until
then it’s My Shop – My Rules.
 |
| This is a large floral embroidery on one of the giant French linen sheets that have started to come into the Pop Up shop from today. In addition, it has a white embroidered monogram & a ladder-stitched border. It's $100. The dimensions are 200cm x 296cm - just how tall are you? |
It’s
good for boys of all species to learn that the primary female in their lives is
She Who Must Be Obeyed At All Times.
It’s something Caleb grew used to ignoring (I wonder where he learned that, Doug?) so our time together will be
good for both of us. Having an out of
control 7kg Bengal isn’t good for anyone.
The
Editor of the local Eumundi newspaper came by to welcome us back to town and
get some photos of me and the shop.
Naturally, I was having a bad hair day – all that lovely straightened
hair I got in Bangkok the trip before last is growing out so it’s back to
unruly curls and frizz. But Caleb was
looking beautiful and for once kind of cooperated with a photographer, so hopefully it
will be him and not me staring out of the pages when it’s published.
 |
| Calypso will usually strike a pose for a photograph, but today if I'm in range I must be sat on. |
Today
it’s back to me and Calypso, and after his practice run yesterday Caleb will
make his first grand appearance as Shop Manager tomorrow (5 July) for the
Saturday Market Day in Eumundi. Polly
the Poodle is coming in for a reunion visit, so it should be fun. Or a fur-flying disaster. We’ll see.
If you'd like to see more photos of the stock we're bringing in, you can visit our Facebook page, Continuum Antiques.
(try this:
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