The American Cowboy Museum's Fall Farmer's Market

I met Mrs. Mollie a few years back at The Texas Black Expo at George R Brown Convention Center. I was there as part of an African Dancer Ensemble and she was there as a presenter on African-American Quilts. After our 30-minute show of drumming, dancing and crowd participation we split-up to explore the Expo. The quilts immediately caught my eyes because I was still sleeping under my great-granny’s patchwork quilt. The familiar, grand colorful blankets beckoned me to sitdown and listen for a spell.

Mrs. Mollie is an excellent story-teller. She talked about Texas's Black homesteaders and the importance of holding on to family lands. Then she shared information about quilting patterns and techniques, about Black Mamas drying quilts on their window sills. She said some of those quilts were also #maps for the conductors of the Underground Railroad. She presented a collection of quilts on display inside her own homestead museum as proof of the handed-down, common patterns that once communicated to Harriet Tubman and 'Nem where the safe houses were located in the community. I was so fascinated with her information that after the Expo I read Jacqueline Tobin's "Hidden In Plain View."  Again, fascinating. We are truly fallen angels. I will still snatch up a quilt if/when I see one that speaks to me.

So when I saw The American Cowboy Museum was hosting a Farmer's Market, I knew I wanted to be be a vendor. I not only wanted to share my herbal liquid love with the folks at the Market #Yum, b.u.t. I wanted to introduce my daughter to a Black Cowgirl and Black Family-owned ranch with cattle and longhorns. She's knows the country, but my family has long-since sold their livestock... I was a tiny tot when they traded the farm for the Supermarket...  Lastly, I wanted to participate in the Museum's fundraiser. So I called up Mrs. Mollie and arranged to purchase a booth.

Im not sure if it was the sunshine, the line dancing, the Oak Tree swing or the essence of self-actualization in the air? Y'all,  I felt so empowered after leaving this event. Perhaps it was the Gingartum shot that one of the Health Care tables was selling? Perhaps it was the horse ride and the beast between my legs? Perhaps it was the positive feedback from my Love Tea Infuzions? Imma gonna go with G.) All Of The Above.

Mrs. Mollie said she was considering increasing the open Market days. Im here for it. Yehaw!