December 26, 2003
Boxing Day
Its Boxing Day or was for most of my penpals. I had a chance to go and walk around Hilo. People were shopping picking up post holiday deals.
Ets'ko, and
Phoenix Rising were selling luxurious ornaments for the tree at 50% off. My kitties would have a field day with those especially the tassled ones!!
I ventured forth to gain two prizes, one a pair of teacups so Woody and I could have tea using his teapot that he gave me, and of course... tea. I went first to
Phoenix Rising. This is where Woody bought the lovely pot. I told Margaret, the proprietress, that she had done my husband a great favor and that this was one of the best gifts he'd ever given me. She thanked me then told me that the dear little thing doesn't come with cups and she didn't have anything that would resemble it. But Ets'ko, next door, has open stock porcelain and she was sure that I would find what I needed there. So I went and Margaret was right, there they were. Perfect, like they were made for the pot, and I got a small round stand for the pot. $23.00 later I was away.
What makes this exchange so remarkable is that at one time Margaret was the owner of
Ets'ko.. Hilo's premiere gift shop. This was her baby. Born out of a desire to do something with her life and be a success...She worked hard and here it is...A gorgeous shop full of beautiful oriental things and a lovely coffee bar.
Then one day her dream ended. Her husband filed for divorce and took Ets'ko from her. I don't know the details but it is touted as one of Hilo's most acrimonious divorces ever. She wanted to open another store, and had a site selected, but at the last minute, her ex got the landlord to pull the plug on her lease... a really dirty trick, considering how hard it is to rent anything in Hilo.
So she contacted her old land lord, who had a space
next door to Ets'ko. So she leased the space and opened a brilliant new store called
Phoenix Rising. I love it, having had a bitter divorce myself. She is so confident that she will do well that she ran a ad asking her old customers to continue to support her old business, while she builds up her new store... Ets'ko is up for sale. Who will buy it now?...Now... that the brains, heart, and soul of the place is alive and well next door.
I must have the fortitude that Margaret has to succeed here. It's a must. I cannot give up, lay down and die. I too, must be like a phoenix rising...rising above the dead things of the past and look towards a new future...
12-29-03- I found the website where you can get your own dear little tea pot. The firm is called
Te' Teas Looks like there is something for every one here.
