times like these

March 20, 2020

here we are. here we are in the midst of a pandemic. a global pandemic. here we are. staying at home. social distancing. homeschooling. farmschooling. teleworking.

so many questions. so few answers.

it was a heartbreaking moment when we learned of the decision to cancel Texas Antiques Week for so many reasons. and although we feel it was the right decision, we can’t help but worry about all of our fellow junkers, the tent companies, the small businesses that rely on this show to sustain their business twice a year. we made the difficult call to close the doors to the JG store in order to protect our elderly community, our employees, and our customers.

so now, what next? we wait. we watch. we take it day by day. and don’t worry, we have some exciting ideas up our sleeve for when this all settles down … whenever that may be.

so far this week, we’ve put in a garden, refreshed our sourdough starter, taken more pics than necessary of the cows (they’re all like coronavirus who?), spent quality time with cash baker and indie, and lots of time researching small business options in these circumstances.

what have y’all been doing? what is your fave stay at home tip to everyone else out there?

we’re sending love and light and all the good vibes out to all of you. please stay home and please stay safe … as our dad always says, this too shall pass.

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23 Comments

  • Reply melisse March 20, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Thank you so much for your sweet perspective and hearts! I am a sister on the fly and was signed up to sleep in the back 40 for junk week… darn! When this is all over I hope we can plan to do it again soon. 🙂 Today I went on a quick ride on my 22 year old horse Willow… bareback, in my PJs! I let him meander and eat the tall grass along the still, empty trail. I was in no hurry. I had nowhere to go but home.

    • Reply Susan winters March 20, 2020 at 9:33 pm

      Hi Melisse
      I loved reading your comment, it made me smile today!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:35 pm

      love this comment SO MUCH!!! riding willow bareback in PJ’s! like a true SOTF! we can’t wait to have y’all back … Spring 2021 is going to rock!!!

  • Reply Cathy Guess March 20, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Y’all Rock! Living up here in the DFW area and all the rainy days, I have been staying in! I have a group of 10 girlfriends, and we group text everyday! We have laughed and laughed via our daily texts, and it has really been good for the soul during these uncertain times! I will miss going to Round Top, but will be grabbing some gals and seeing y’all when life returns to normal! Stay Safe, and keep sharing your cow pics for us city folks! ❤️❤️❤️

    • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:35 pm

      will do!!! thanks for letting us in on your day as well!!!

  • Reply Rachel Beissner, Sister #1240 March 20, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    I love this bitter sweet message. As a member of Sisters on the Fly, I pledge to return TEXAS SIZE. Thank you for y’all
    being there for us!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      ahhhh loveee this!!! we can’t wait!!!

  • Reply Debbie Hays March 20, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    We have a small boutique and salon in rural mo…we stayed closed thisweek for everyone’s best interest…it is a very scary time we are in..and the uncertaintity of our future isn’t clear…hopefully we will all come thru this and be better for it…learn to live more simply and to appreciate all we have…..EVERYDAY

    • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      i agree…it is definitely a time of uncertainty! but the simple living has been such a wonderful blessing!

  • Reply Judy Sikes Stewman March 20, 2020 at 6:57 pm

    Hi, Jolie and Amie, from Arkansas Cousin Judy in Fayetteville! This is the weirdest time I’ve ever seen, but my optimistic nature is certain things will improve. We’re staying in and away from crowds, for the most part, but will be so happy when this scare (crisis) is over. Give my love to your mom and dad. I’d love to come to Texas and visit your store. Maybe one day… You guys hang in there; stay well, and keep your folks well, too!

    • Reply Terri Jones March 20, 2020 at 8:48 pm

      My family has a local cafe in my town of 2500. Its been in business since 1959. The local.suport has been amazing and so appreciated. Small.business is the backbone of America. We are resiliant creative and have grit. God bless and prayers for us all

      • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:32 pm

        we agree completely. small but mighty!!

    • Reply Mary B Kennedy March 23, 2020 at 11:54 am

      Hello Cousins Judy, Amy, Jolie, and Phillip. We are distant cousins through our SoRelle ancestors. I believe one of Wylie and Mahala Sorelle’s child moved to Arkansas and that is our connection. I plan to support Junk Gypsies through online ordering and I hope all of you out there will too.

      • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:26 pm

        hello there! our grandmother’s maiden name was kennedy….wonderful to hear from you! maybe our paths will cross one of these days!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      helloooo there!!! so great to hear from you! y’all stay safe and well …. as dad always says … this too shall pass!

  • Reply Susan winters March 20, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    I was so glad to see your post and love the cow picture! My husband and I are in our mid seventies, we live in a small town in ky. We are staying home and trying to find new things each day to keep us busy. It was warm here today so I cleaned my garage, each day I can find something that I can do.Yesterday I walked down to our pond and stood there thinking about how bad this is right now but I also looked at the beauty of the daffodils popping up and the trees budding , the animals hopping around some how knowing that Spring has arrived and I stood there and just prayed asking God to be with us and help us as our brothers and sisters all over the world is hurting so badly, we will get through as to how long I cannot say. We have been to round top twice and we love it! We shopped the marvelous Junk gypsies, met amie and Jolie, you made us feel like family. We love comes no there and will see you again. Keep the sweet pictures coming as they make us smile!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      hello there! so glad you liked the pic…walking through the pasture with the cows is THE BEST dose of nature therapy one could ask for! hope y’all are staying safe and well! XOXOXO!

  • Reply KATHIE TRUITT March 20, 2020 at 9:41 pm

    After a whirlwind 2019 I decided to completely change my life and slow down, so this social distancing is nothing new to me since January 1st. I am working on a new book, watching a lot of Netflix, and praying for my fellow small business owners. Love to all of you.

    • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:31 pm

      i think this “forced slowing down” has been a really good thing. and i was just thinking today, these are perfect book writing times! can’t wait to see what you come up with!! XOXOXO!

  • Reply Terry Hares March 22, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    Hi sweet friends I have taken this time to do some much needed yard work. I do 67 Antique shows and flea markets a season I have found my flower beds and yard are suffering. Even though we still have snow at times it seems like the perfect time for yard clean up . And later I will plant a veggie garden. Plus lot of time to prep for new projects for Texas in October. Cant wait see you guys.

    • Reply Jolie Sikes March 26, 2020 at 12:30 pm

      ahhhh love this! we’ve done a bit of gardening ourselves! just harvested asparagus last night!

  • Reply Courtney April 7, 2020 at 10:07 am

    You both are so inspiring, and I love reading and watching what you will be up to next!

    • Reply Jolie Sikes April 13, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      awwww thanks so much!!! hope you and yours are well!!!

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