What could be better than yesterday’s stellar Gaffron Family Reunion? How about Ligonier Days? I was there last year during CoVID when Fort Ligonier Days was cancelled but the storefronts remained open. This year, a much different story. My little Stars Hollow was packed.
I made my arrival around 11:30. I boarded the shuttle (first school bus ride I’ve been on in almost 20 years; last time I was on a bus I was still a student at Slippery Rock University). I cancelled my restaurant review blog this week because there was too many food trucks in town to try out. I passed up a chance to get Pickled Chef and had Chinese instead. Not the best choice but I made up for it later.
I made my way up Main Street which was crawling with people. Soon after I made it into town and made my rounds. I sat in the Diamond and got ready to hear one of the main acts. Not getting much out of the Chinese I had earlier, I got the Grilled Chicken on a stick. I put some barbecue sauce on it and voila! I got a lot more mileage out of this meal than I did the sesame chicken.
After eating my Grilled Chicken on a stick and hearing some of what East Coast Turnaround had to offer (great band and great music by the way), I walked over to Second Chapter Books (actually I shopped outside where the authors were selling their books). One of them was a local author from Latrobe. The other was one whose books I’d read before.
Chris Rodell has written multiple books and he actually visited one of our Toastmasters meetings a few years ago. I don’t think he recalled as it’s been a while but we got to talk. He’s doing his hometown proud writing about some of the town’s favorite sons (Fred Rogers and Arnold Palmer). Now I love Ligonier but, Latrobe is a close second.
Next up was Jim O’Brien. I needed no introduction to him as I’d read plenty of his books over the years, dating back to the days when Waldenbooks was in the mall. The first book of his I read was We Had ‘Em All the Way which was about legendary Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Bob Prince. I learned about his many phrases in that book. His first book was Doing It Right which covered the 1970’s Steelers teams that won four Super Bowls.
I bought my books and had the authors autograph them and then I was on my way. I ran into Vanessa and her fiancée Rachel outside the Diamond. It was my second time meeting Vanessa in person and first time meeting Rachel. She was all over my outfit (she loved my blazer and my Coach). She’s been all about my gender nonconformity and doesn’t want me to quit. She suggested I get a Shacket. She wore hers and told me how stylish they are. I told her that Wight Elephant sells them but from reading her stories, I see she’s a big fan of Nordstrom and Target (I love Target too).
I asked her opinion about blouses and dresses and she’s all for me wearing them. Like I said, she loves my gender nonconformity and as long as the way I dress makes me happy then that’s all that matters. My problem is I want to please everyone and we all know damn well that’s not going to happen. I sent her pictures of the shackets I found on Nordstrom Rack as well as some blouses and dresses I found on Amazon. Also, that pink cherry dress that I’ve loved since I saw my coworker wearing it when we were working in Ashtabula two years ago. I think I’m going to ask her opinion on secondhand stores too. I definitely want to meet up again with these two in Pittsburgh in the future. Maybe a strip district trip or somewhere in the city.
Vanessa even suggested getting something from the Sand Hill Berries truck and I did just that. That sundae with the Sand Hill raspberries was delicious and I enjoyed it while listening to the second act at the gazebo, the Flood City Brass. The band played some of the greatest hits. I ended my day in Ligonier with a Musket Mocha from Abigail’s Coffeehouse.
What a perfect weekend. Fort Ligonier Days was so worth it. Yesterday I had an amazing time at the Gaffron Family Reunion. Today, I got to meet my Instagram blogger friend Vanessa in person. She is such an inspiration and very encouraging. With her and Rachel and joyfullyyoursamanda, as well as many others, I think I found my true friends.
As for this gender nonconformity, it’s staying and I’m slaying 🔥 🔥 🔥. I’m going to continue being my unique self.
Bye everyone. ❤️ you.
Stylish 🍒 