Storefronts and the BOO HOO BRIDE

Owning a "shop" isn't necessarily bricks and mortar anymore. eBay proved that years ago, as does CafePress. To the left you'll see an example of the latest goofy gift item I've been working on available at my CafePress shop. It's the Boo Hoo Bride. Go take a look at the poor thing. She could use a consoling visitor.

The couple below is a whole different era. You either needed a wagon to haul your goods from place to place or you set up shop in good ol' brick and mortar. What this couple sold? No indication. Then again, maybe this is their home. Could be, I hadn't given that much thought.

Click on image to see it larger.

Whatever the circumstances, they just don't look friendly. They have a look that makes you think you're bothering them. Move on. Nothing to see here. There's also the odd fact that the place looks like it's riddled with bullet holes. It's not, it's ink spattered across the photo, but it does add a sort of shooting gallery feel to the image. "Stand still folks while I take your picture" and then rat-a-tat-tat. No wonder they look unhappy.

But what you really have to look at are the details. Specifically the midsection on both of them. He apparently is like most middle-age men, a little loose with the buttons around the middle.

But her? What is that protruding from her skirt? What is that strange shape under her blouse? It's a handle and ummmm...an outline of a sea serpent? I don't know. It's just...odd. I'll leave it at that. There's probably a logical explanation for these shapes and someday someone will find this post and inform me exactly what was going on.

And no, I have no idea where this was taken. No information on the back.