Judging by the state of its thrift store racks, the ladies of Pascagoula, Mississippi, are a snazzy group. There were more sequins per square foot in the Goodwill store there than you’re likely to see anywhere else other than Vanna White’s closet. Judging by the diversity of sizes, I don’t think they all came from one party-happy patron, either. It was impressive. The sheer amount of shiny and glitz nearly overpowered my steely, puritanical nature. I knew it was time to leave when I started seriously considering one particularly colorful sequined shawl.
After Pascagoula we hit the Goodwill in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, which seemed to be brand new. They had neat little niches built into the store where they’d set up vignettes and sections, like a little art gallery and a media room. Their T-shirts were even grouped by color. It made for a pretty store, but it almost felt a little too sterile. Thrift stores are supposed to be at least a little chaotic.
As we’ve drifted further south, I’ve noticed that another animal has usurped the monkeys’ reign as Chief Beast. In their place? Chickens. They’re everywhere. I’ve seen at least two Beyonces (warning: foul language. also fowl language) and countless other poultry large and small. I have yet to be quick enough to snap pictures of those on the roadways, but I’m now making a special effort to photograph the ones in the stores.
I’d never been to Mississippi before last week — although I’ve known how to spell it since my step-mother’s sister Pat taught me when I was 9 or so (em eye crooked letter, crooked letter eye; crooked letter, crooked letter eye; humpback, humpback eye). I’m pretty sure it’s my 29th state. We stopped at Biloxi’s Hurricane Katrina memorial on the way into town, and it was making me rather emotional right up until a guy on a bicycle rode over to try to get us to fork over some change.
We stayed the night in a rather sketchy-looking campground in the middle of Biloxi. You could see the Gulf from the laundry room, though. We spent a good part of the evening there reading Vogue, W and Redbook before coming back to HaRVey with clean clothes and an appetite. Jenna made dinner again, and then we commenced with the blogging.
Lessons learned on Day Five
Note: Internet issues demanded that I post two days after-the-fact when I started the All Thrifty States trip, so I kept to that schedule throughout. But I am home now, with any luck cuddling with my small people. Also: Jenna is still about a week away from the end of her trip, and her funds are quickly dwindling. If you have some spare dollars, please consider sending them her way via the donate button on her web site. Thanks!