Fall Foliage Tour Part 3

 Not only does Vermont have a lot of trees and farms, it has villages. And in the heart of every village, (well not every village, some villages are so small, hardly anyone lives there) So I'll say in the heart of most villages, they have a general store. General stores are where you go to get what you need and say Hi to your neighbors. They are like micro-mini Department/Food stores with a great, big warm heart. You can buy gourmet coffee, a fresh baked muffin made by a neighbor, a hat, a new broom and tin foil. You can discuss the weather, get directions, decide what other kinds of muffiins the neighbor should bake and get advice about snow or gardening.

We stopped at this General Store. They were surprised to say Hi to a traveling mannequin. The owners of The Vermont Apron Company got more gourmet coffee and a bottle of plum juice. They never had plum juice before and were happy to have some. Me? I just stood out front and watched the traffic go by. I didn't want plum juice and frankly it was a lot of fun to smile at the people driving by. Vermonters wave a lot!

I wasn't sure if it was me or the hot pizza sign that excited them.

The theme here is roads of Vermont (I guess... I'm inventing here). I'm standing on the edge of one. There are lots of them so I'm wearing my Big Wheel Apron and Tool Hat. Why the tool hat? Because on the road, at some point  you need tools. We don't talk about it much but cars break down. Its just one of those sad, sad topics we try to keep under our lids.

Here's a closer look at me with my Tool Apron. Yeah, my grey slacks match. Good styling, I thought.They left me standing here for quite awhile. I think there was a map issue. It was ok, though. I got to hear big trucks blow their horns as they drove past. I think they liked the Tool Hat.

~Wes

Me at Work...

Here's me, hard at work, getting it done.

I'm wearing the long Host Apron. I gotta admit the long Apron makes me look even more dapper than before.

Old Stone Museum,Orleans,Vermont

We had our first professional photoshoot....finally.... took years of planning. We had a great location. I admit the scenery was well chosen. I got to go. I am, after all, pretty important to the company. Me, a photographer and two models worked hard all afternoon. Here's my shots., they're the critical ones after all.

First I introduced the place with a great shot of their sign.

The models felt left out

and got themselves into the next shot.

I let 'em.

They wanted to pose close to me.

But truth be told, they're cuddling up cuz they're cold.

Notice their long sleeves? Dusk was coming on and they were getting chilly.

I was nothing more than a warm body to stand near.
It was ok, look how happy they are with me.

I had to pose in front of all the signs. I asked the girls how I was doing.
They gave me the thumbs up. I felt good.

I told them they had to step aside and let me work.
This is the important sign with the hours and such.
We don't want silliness here.

Although I put on my best smile to show people

what a good time I had here.

I thought it would be a good idea to show the address.
So I stood in front of the mailbox.
I would have gotten the mail but my arms dont bend.
The girls said not to worry, they were their to help

It was a good day. I did a great job.
I'll have more shots to come im my next post.
~Wes

Check me out!

Go ahead......

take a good look at me.....

see anything different?

I'll give you a hint..... it's winter time.

Keep looking...Notice it???

Look again...

.....

Did you notice?..

YES!

I got an undershirt!!!!

.........It's the same color as my teeth.

~Wes

Amanda

Here's Amanda.

She's the other

window mannequin

this month.

They were trying different aprons

and gave her the Sunflower one.

(sigh)

She's in the other window.

I get to stare at her

all day and night.

(sigh)~Wes

Today I was Star!

I'M A STAR!!!

You know what Guys?

Hard work really does pay off.

You toil and toil and toil,

keep your nose to the grindstone,

no partying for this guy,

just work, work, work

and just when you think

the boss doesnt notice a thing.

BAM!

Reward lands like a rock!

That shining moment does come!

Thats right,friends, my good work

has landed me in

the prestigious position

of WINDOW MANNEQUIN!!!!

Here's a shot of me, Wesley.

Now I'm smiling really,really big cuz....

..I'M WINDOW MANNEQUIN!!!!

~Wes

Day 1..I meet a French Woman.....

Day One on the job.....I make my first friend!

There I was all unpacked and ready to go ...and completely naked. Stood in the corner, I took on my new role of smiling at the customers. Even though I was naked, even though the crowds werent here as yet. I stood straight and proud and smiled. Thats me.Thats what I do.
Nearing afternoon, I was getting worn out and worried about the nightime chill (after all it is Vermont, northern Vermont at that...) Later,just when significant worry took over, a woman came in with the owner. She was French and she had pants. Pants for me! I was getting my first pair of pants! They were grey and fancier than I had anticipated.
It took the two of them to get my first pair of pants on. They even had to remove a leg.(I am very stiff and have trouble bending) The French woman introduced herself as Yvette and was very friendly. We got along great!

Once my new pants were on, they gave a pair of black oxfords! They were a bit big but I don't think anyone will notice. They look good with the pants. I looked so dapper in my new clothes. I couldn't wait to work the next day to show myself off.

My new friend,Yvette, has promised to come visit again soon! I'm not sure if I'll be getting a shirt. And truth be told, they forgot to give me underpants. ~Wes