I almost missed them. Market Days was a fun diversion to walk around the stands and check out all the wares. And, then I found myself taking in the stores around the square, too. These yellow stairs invited me to walk up to the sidewalk and find the Cottonwood Cottage gift shop in our small town. As sticky as a yellow leaf on a cottonwood tree, unable to resist what I might find, I took those stairs.

I followed the yellow stairs right into the Cottonwood Cottage Gift Shop.
Rick and I had been looking for suitable chairs for the back porch that weren’t plastic, aluminum or wood that shows weathering. So when I saw these rocking chairs, I knew I just had to have one. Just one? They were rockers solidly welded and built to last. Sensible me told me to buy one. I hadn’t planned on making this purchase when I had left the house to return books to the library, found Market Days and now this! The thought of two really nagged on me. I really wanted wanted two. His and hers. Jacqueline, the owner, encouraged me to get the second one, but I resisted. “If you put down just $10 on the second one, you can have it if you change your mind,” she assured me.
“No, just one,” I said thinking two would be so nice. “I’ll be back with my husband and the truck so he can try it out and we can pick it up.”
The twenty-something clerk at the cash register chimed in, “I bought two for my fiancé and me. We love them.” Now I was feeling very excited about finding the perfect chair.
When we returned, Rick tried it out. Perfect. Solid. Interesting design. Rusty patina but not rusty. It would be great on the back porch.
“Are we going to get two?” he asked me. Even he was weighing in on two.
“No, just one, is enough,” I insisted.
“Well, let’s drive to Lowe’s and you think about it. I think you’ll want two,” he commented.
Half way to Lowe’s, I had made up my mind. “Yes, I want two. We need two. Just think how nice it would be to be able to sit in chairs that rock to take in the rabbits, squirrels, dragonflies and hummingbirds in summer. Yes, let’s do it. But what if she sells the second one? She only had two. And it’s Market Days. More shopping traffic on this first Saturday in November.”
Quickly we finished our business at Lowe’s and returned to pick up one, hopefully two chairs.
Jacqueline met us at the door. “Jacqueline, please say you still have the second chair. We want to purchase a pair.”
“You’re not going to believe it. Two people came in who wanted those two chairs and I told them they were taken.”
“But I didn’t place anything on the second one.”
“I knew you would want two, so I took a risk and decided for you,” she laughed.
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Here’s how others have weighed in on this subject.
“Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” — Glenn Turner
Oh, but Glenn, I got two chairs!
“Hell, I’m an old man. I’m 70 years old. I’m supposed to be sitting on a rocking chair watching the sunset.” –M. Emmet Walsh
Yep, that’s what Rick was thinking when he encouraged me to get two, not one.
When I’m 80 and sitting in a rocking chair listening to the Rolling Stones, there is absolutely no way I’m going to feel old or forget my younger days. –Patty Duke
You certainly have that right, Patty.
I’ve got too many of my friends that retired and went home and got on a rocking chair, and about a year and a half later, I’m always going to the cemetery. –Red Adair
You don’t know me Mr. Adair, but I do see your point.
Now, I know you expected me to say that, well, I just kick back in the rocking chair, fished a little bit, listened to Willie Nelson tapes and watched old baseball games on the Classic Sports network. And, tell you the truth, I have done that for maybe about five total minutes.–Dan Rather
Oh Dan, I’ve sat for hours on the back porch and have not gotten bored.
A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?–Albert Einstein
You and Patty are kindred spirits, Albert.
The discontented man finds no easy chair.–Benjamin Franklin
2014 is shaping up to be a wonderful year, Ben.
Love those chairs and the story behind your purchase! How insightful of the shop owners to save both of them for you. They just knew you’d be back! And your quotes about rocking chairs were entertaining. I know you and Rick will enjoy those chairs.
And I love the name of the gift shop!
I made a friend in Jacqueline at the Cottonwood Cottage. She’s a retired teacher, too.
Rocking chairs is a soothing subject, I think. One unlikely place to find rocking chairs is the Harrisburg International Airport, PA. They are not for sale but for sitting. Friends or relatives poised to pick up passengers can rock the time away as they wait. Neat!
Great quotes, Georgette!
Perfect for waiting. I’d certainly find my way in one if one was available.
Two chairs are perfect!
What was I thinking, in considering only one?
I´m so glad you bought both of them. What a clever salesperson to save the other one for you. You will get years of enjoyment out of them. Sometimes you just need to go with your gut. We need a picture of the two of you on the back porch in your rocking chairs.
I would love to get a photo of Rick and me for the blog. I think you’ll get a photo of GS and me, but Rick is rather camera shy on the blog.
My hubby is the same. Sometimes I sneak a picture in though.
🙂
What a great story to tell for years to come and smile at each other. P.s. You could have a pic taken of the two of you from behind…just a thought
Good idea, Joss. Maybe these will make a reappearance.
Sometimes it’s nice to have others make up your mind before you do! Awesome rockers! I envision gingham or flowered overstuffed pads in them, ahhhh!
I think you’re right. Suzi. Good idea. Right now with the sun shining on them they warm up comfy and toasty, but when summer comes, yes, cushions will be perfect.
how awesome that young lady knew you better than you knew yourself at that moment! 🙂
🙂 Well said, Theresa. No regrets. I will remember her and her nudge for a long time.
They are perfect!
I’m so glad we have two. Suzicate recommended the cushions. Great idea for summer because the chairs could get HOT. They will last for sure.
I love that she trusted her instincts (and sales experience) to set away both 🙂 We still have our Amish rocking chair that both boys were rocked in — it’s still a favorite!
Cheers!
MJ
ooo…you need to write about it, MJ.
Christmas is coming so I think I will be back again soon. She has such nice, unusual and useful things. Whoa…Market Day returns next Saturday. How quickly time flies.
You don’t need to be old to sit in a rocking chair; it’s just easier to get back into action with a little assistance!
Yep, just a little heave-ho and you’re standing up again. 🙂
What beautiful chairs, Georgette! Even as a child, I’ve always loved rocking chairs, there’s something so soothing about them. Happy rocking! 🙂
I listened in on many conversations in my parents’ living room rocking back and forth. There are wonderful memories rocking from that chair.
Love those chairs! They will provide you with many hours of comfort and birdwatching.
Thank you, Sandy. We do sit outside with camera in hand for long stretches of time. Love it.
Awesome! I am so happy y’all have found your perfect rocking chair & even more delighted you purchased 2 instead info one!! Hope I can borrow one when I come visiting !!! XO
Absolutely. We’ll be in touch.
Georgette — good for you for following the yellow brick… stairs! 🙂 Your post does remind me of the Wizard of Oz. All that wealth and peace locked away inside us. There is no place like home, and now you and your husband BOTH can rock away and enjoy the quiet days when they come. For I am certain there are many days loud enough to make you want a rocking chair in the first place! 😉 Ahhh, life is good my friend. And it is so good to see you enjoying it, and following your heart up those stairs. Hooray for that clerk!
Thank you for reading about our early Christmas gift to ourselves. We love them…not it!
btw I think we’re feeling the same thing regarding elementary education. If you scroll up to Recent Posts, you will find “What I Haven’t Missed”. Ditto on the fear of missing pajama day, and as I wrote in this post I’m so glad grandson wasn’t the one spoiling the red shirt picture. Whew! That was close.
I am so happy you got two! Love the quotes. Happy rocking!
Me too. What was I thinking? Not cluttering the back porch?
Oh, I love rocking chairs and those that you purchased are stellar! I can just picture you & your hubby enjoying the country view from those chairs. You made a good purchase.
We are enjoying them every day I’m there. The back porch is my favorite “room” in the house even when it’s storming. What a show with a view. When it gets chilly though, we will have to retreat inside.
Two rocking chairs spell bliss and kudos to that clerk who knows about the real comforts in life! 🙂
I just know these chairs will have a long life. We are “doubly” enjoying them for sure. They must be one of a kind, because I couldn’t even find them on google images to find a vendor. Also, there is no manufacturer name on them. I want to give my brother one for Christmas and Jacqueline won’t get any more until January.
The very young also love rocking chairs. For years, we had a white one that was a favorite place for bedtime stories when my children were small. Bet your grandchildren will enjoy your new chairs when they come visit!
Wise lady you are. In fact that was one of the selling points for us. The design is such that it can safely rock during over rocking when young ones are around. This pair was just unusual enough, strong enough and comfortable enough to fall in love with them both. Thank you for stopping by, Lynne. Always good to hear from you.
What a wonderful tale. Are they really comfortable? Looking at the photo, it seems as though the back is tilted more than I like — but that’s why it’s as important to “try on” a chair as a new pair of shoes. Appearances can be deceiving.
The mention of the cushions took me back to my grandparents’ porch. They had those colored metal chairs that really could heat up in the summer. We had pads for them, too — but only the seats. Now that I think of it, I’m sure Grandma made the pads herself. Thrifty is as thrifty does!
They are very comfortable. We were concerned about a design for over rocking when little ones are around, and one that wouldn’t weather, fall apart and could support anyone, man or woman. My MIL made cushions for a glider they had, custom piping and all. We’ll see what we come up with by next summer. I’m in no hurry yet. See the one in the sun? In this cool weather it feels rather nice to be warmed on the “bum.” Not so when summer rolls around, therefore cushions will be necessary for sure. I do like the shadows the chair weaving casts on the cement.
Oh, you must have matching rocking chairs! Husband and I have them on the veranda and are perfect for relaxing. Actually we have two sets of matching rockers! Enjoy them when the weather is right!
I didn’t mention the cost which did make me pause. Still, we just call it an early Christmas present. When you see something you just love, get
itthem, right?I can just picture you enjoying the view in your matching chairs. 🙂
Lucky you! You ended up with two chairs, not one, and that totally makes sense. Glad you were able to score that second one. They look so nice together, don’t they? 🙂
Ha…ha…no sooner do I agonize over recliners in the living room, then I have cognitive dissonance over the rockers on the porch. Thank you for helping me think through the living room chairs btw. What is it with me and deciding on chairs?
Even before I had my daughter, Georgette, I loved rocking chairs, and then when she was born, I spent many nights rocking her to sleep (and then falling asleep in the chair) when she was teething. Our deck has only chairs that rock, even one double seated rocker.
When daughters were born, we had a recliner in the den that I used. When grandson was born, we used a glider that only ladies could use. His father and my husband could not fit in it nor would they dare use it as it couldn’t hold their weight. Both my mother and MIL had them, but now that I think of it these are the only two rockers we have. ooo-a double rocker on the deck sounds like fun. I can imagine the conversations are lively on it. How can you keep still in mind and spirit if you’re rocking?
I love these chairs — a bit different from the ‘regular’ rockers we see. And the quotes are wonderful.
These are, I promise, very comfortable and they rock. Thank you for stopping by.
I agree–you needed two! Hope to see some photos of you enjoying them come spring.
We have enjoyed them recently as the temps rose into the 70’s. Crazy weather with our ups and downs. I’ve had several requests for photos of us rocking. 🙂