Weekend in Wimberley (Part 3: How My Camera Saves Me Millions)

On the first Saturday of the month, March through December, the small town of Wimberley, Texas holds Market Days, an outdoor market so huge that I only saw a third of it in the four hours I spent there a couple of weeks ago, snapping photo after photo after photo...

Perhaps you think I'm exaggerating when I say my camera saved me millions, so I'll explain:

I am a collector

of anything and everything,

including vintage aprons like those above ($3!!) and chandelier prisms like the ones below.

But for some reason, just snapping their picture satisfied the urge I had to buy them.

It also helped that my camera is heavy.

Just the thought of lugging around any more weight is a shopping deterrent.

Here are a few more things that caught my eye (and therefore my camera lens.) Click on the images to see them full size.

I fell in love with the color and pattern on this old trunk.

I still hope to have one someday.

I already have one old sewing machine, but isn't this one gorgeous? A true piece of art.

A little clue to my personality... if I had the extra bucks, I would have snatched up this tiny pair of lederhosen. 

I have no idea why or what I would do with them, but I really wanted them! 

I love marbles. I have no idea how to play the game... I just love looking at them.

I doubt these are really old, but I still wanted them for some strange reason.

In second grade, I traded someone a few plastic creepy crawlers for a pair of spurs. I have no idea what happened to them, but I wish I still had them. 

I collect picnic baskets... if they're the right price.  I loved the green stripe on this one. Alas, it wasn't the right price and I didn't feel like haggling. I'm satisfied with a photo.

You can find birdhouses made from eclectic scraps everywhere these days, but I thought these were more original (especially the large one on the left and the Alamo, top left) and they were reasonably priced. Just out of my budget. Snap!

If I had come across these shot glasses 30 years ago, I probably would have bought the whole lot. As it is, I'm wondering what to do with the shoeboxes full of them I have stashed in a storage room. So a photo of these totally satisfied me.

Would you believe I have a collection of ashtrays stashed somewhere, even though I've never smoked? I just like the designs, and sentimentality.

I have some from obsolete Las Vegas hotels and one a friend brought me from Hawaii. 

The one above really tempted me... The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is where my senior prom after-party was held. It was severely damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008. Galveston's Pleasure Pier now stands in its place.

Does anyone not love beer steins? I already have a few.. souvenirs from my trip to Austria in 1976, my kids' trips to Europe, and gifts from Tom's dad who collected them when they lived in Germany in the 60's. But, yes, I was still tempted by these.

Three of my weaknesses: wicker chairs; children's chairs; rocking chairs. It was almost too much for me when I spotted this one... and painted green! It's truly a miracle I didn't bring it home. 

I don't own a single vintage toaster, but if I'd had the money when I spotted the trio above, I would have had an instant collection. Again, pure art!

I didn't leave empty handed, though. As soon as I spotted Ziggy, above, my heart beat fast and I was pulling out my money. I love Ziggy and he's sort of a mascot for me and Tom.

I still needed a marker for Frankie's grave, so when I spotted this wire cross for $4, I snatched it up.

I also succumbed to peer pressure and bought 4 shirts - for $10! I barely even feel guilty about that.

Add in a breakfast taco and cup of iced tea, and the grand total came to $20, a zillion photos, and a fantastic time, all within my budget.

I'm ready to go back!