Drove to Phoenix to buy a carved wooden skull pipe from my sister. It was part of her husband's antique pipe collection. I had been promising our host at our complimentary coffee mornings next to the Old Mercantile Store on Central Ave. In Mayer, Arizona that I would get it for him. Mike is an avid collector of odd and/or old things....hmmm and that is reflected perhaps in his collection of people in the morning at Big Bug Station?
Mike's historic 1903 building on Central houses a few antique stores and a custom furniture store. The wonderful old wooden dance floor vibrates happy times when you walk on them. A couple of lovely women who are old time residents of Mayer area and veritable walking history books came into the Big Bug Station several days ago and I overheard, "I remember when one of the cowboys danced so hard he went through the floorboards. Now nobody can say those cowboys couldn't dance!"
I spent the rest of my complimentary coffee sippin' and thinkin' on that picture she painted in my mind's eye.
Major Opal Addict
Me shoveling 70 feet below ground into my rickshaw.
About Me
- Parched Earth Opals
- Mayer, Arizona, United States
- I hunt for treasure and I find it in wild, rough as guts, crazy places. The booty I have unearthed includes gems, gold, and big oil pipeline paychecks. I have worked with the crackle of the Aurora Borealis overhead and the crunch of Arctic ice beneath my feet. For the last twenty-five years, I have mined opals below ground and camped beneath the Australian sky. This considerably skewed my city girl perspective of life. Because I lived without electricity 6 months out of the year for so many years, I had plenty of time to observe, write, and cartoon the saga of the thrilling side of my dual life. I am Barbara McCondra, mother, teacher, commercial real estate agent, Arctic oilfield worker, Aussie opal miner, gem dealer, and freelance writer/lecturer. I live with one foot each in two hemispheres. When I am asked, “How did you DO that?” I always respond,” If I dress it, speak it, and walk it, I become it,” Simple and exciting. My life is a perpetual adventure. I love it.
