A Wonderful Gift

So I had the one of the coolest and most unexpected experiences in a long time just a couple of weeks ago. I have been wanting an antique Vatican sick call altar for years and I've been outbid on them one time after another on ebay, disappointed and left with that empty spot in my collection of catholic artifacts. Then to my surprise I saw someone on Craigslist locally selling one for an incredible price of $65.00. Not only was it in mint condition, it had all the original pieces along with it including the ornate candle holders, the silver engraved plates, the spoon, the box of cotton, the oil cloths, the crucifix and even the original booklet that came with it in 1909! I contacted the seller and Sara wrote me back and let me know it was still available. I asked her about the Guadalupe and Jesus statues she also had in the ad and she told me she would just give them to me for free since she could tell that I was such a passionate collector like herself. I arranged to go up to meet her and her husband Cork the following Sunday, though I didn't realize how far away Kelso is from Portland or I would have planned things a little better. I could have spent hours hanging out with this wonderful couple, their house was absolutely incredible, and they even had an AKC Standard Poodle named Molly June! Anyone who knows me, knows I am absolutely infatuated with poodles, they are so iconic and pure kitsch.....I love the ones with styled hair and the dainty way they prance and show off their good looks. They are unlike any other dog. They also had a Malamute mix I believe who had the most incredible coat of large puffy hair, she seemed like a mammoth, yet the Poodle runs that house....=). Begining from the mosaic walkway to the beautifully manicured storybook cottage, their house was full of inspiration and symbolic pieces of art - and Cork could tell me the story and origins of nearly every piece they had on display. They had a room dedicated to one large shrine, made from symbolic pieces they had gathered throughout their travels to Mexico and beyond, it was so neat to hear how they acquired each item, and what it meant to them. I was so mad that I hadn't brought my camera, but luckily Sara had one and took a picture of me with their poodle and the two statues. All in all that was such a great day, Sara and Cork are amazing people and artists who treated me like we had been friends for years. Even after everything she had given me, she gave them these gorgeous antique, ornate sacred heart that she had a double of! I really hope to visit with them again, and bring some new statues and crucifixes that will match the style they like, and to take pictures of them with their dogs, and hopefully use the poodle for some creative artistic shots I have planned.