Cousins and Camera Gear

It had been several years since Jay had seen his cousins, Alabeth (Big Al) and Bob Croce and their extended family of children, and grandchildren, many of whom lived in the Columbus, Ohio area. Their son, Bobby Croce had enough driveway space for Sonny but his wife, Sally had just had an operation and was in no condition to accommodate weekend guests - even if they stayed in their own RV. It was decided that Jay and Chris would stay with Alabeth and in a way, temporarily living in a spacious, two-story home was a nice change from the limited living quarters of a 33 foot RV. The house became their home base from which they took day trips and entertained the family gathering in honor of Jay and Chris’ visit.

Sunday was the family gathering and by the time all of Al and Bob’s children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren arrived, the house was easily accommodating a score of relations. Even Sally showed up, using it as an excuse to get out of her house.

Bobby Croce’s passion is military memorabilia. He financially supports his habit by acquiring surplus military gear and selling it at flea markets. A small town near his home was holding just such an event on Labor Day and Al, Bob, Jay and Chris decided to pay him a visit. His booth consisted of a half-dozen tables covered with MRIs, jackets, vests, and various utility pouches while parachutes, sleeping bags and pup tents spilled onto the surrounding ground.

Bobby (in red shirt) in his booth of military stuff.

For months, Chris had been trying to think of a better system than the specialized, sectional backpack she used to carry her camera gear while hiking. On their photo outings Jay usually carried the extra gear while she handled the tripod with the camera and lens needed at the time. If she ventured away from him, usually down a slippery, narrow path, inevitably a need for something in the backpack would arise. Jay would have to bring it to her and the system was just not working for either of them.

She had considered a photo vest but the ones on the market were seemingly sized for gorillas and fit her like a 50 pound potato sack. She felt they would be hot to wear and besides they cost a fortune! As she strolled through Bobby’s booth she noticed some vests with lots of horizontal strapping and an assortment of grenade and canteen sized pouches designed to attach anywhere on the vest. An idea formed in her foggy brain and as she turned to locate Jay and convey her thoughts to him, she saw him busily rummaging through a box on the opposite side of the booth with Bobby. She raised a vest and a pouch in the air just as he looked up. Their eyes locked with the recognition of similar thoughts and the concept gelled into a camera gear solution. They discussed their thoughts with Bobby and the next day Chris had a vest and enough grenade and canteen pouches to accommodate all her gear. Thank you Bobby!!

Chris with her new camera vest.

They continued through the flea market amazed at the variety of “stuff” vendors sell. Outside the official flea market grounds they discovered a group of Amish men and women selling homemade ice cream that they were creating, on the spot, with a gas powered machine and – drum roll please – PIES!!! As discussed earlier, it was impossible for Chris and Jay to pass up homemade pies and they left the booth protectively clutching the last of the raspberries.

Jay with Alabeth and Bob

Jay and Chris had not heard from their tenant, Melissa, in months. Replies to repeated attempts to contact her utilizing e-mails, phone and text messages were not forthcoming. They had no idea if she had received any of them and if she was going to still be in the house when they arrived home. Finally, over the weekend, Melissa sent Chris a text message stating that she had moved out. A two-day return trip home to Maryland had been planned but, armed with the knowledge that she was gone, Jay and Chris decided to just push through and get home the Tuesday after Labor Day. Worn out from a long day on the road, they arrived home before dark with just enough daylight to take in the condition of the property. They were disgusted by the filth they found but somewhat relieved to find only slight damage to the premises – other than the confusion as to what happened to the twenty year old, lush bed of periwinkle that used to cover two-thirds of the front yard. They had their work cut out for them to return it to the condition in which they left it, but they were too tired and frustrated to dig in just yet.