I've been talking about opening a shop called Bicycle Morning for a couple of years now. The initial idea was a physical shop where I would sell beautiful things--modern, artistically designed art and things for the home. Hand crafted pieces found by independent artists I know locally, or new creative minds I discover while traveling. I might also offer vintage finds, unique one of a kind elements like fabric, books, glassware and jewelry. The space will be bright, filled with light. I'll have a screen door, cooler full of iced tea and champagne, with music--sometimes live music--a piano in the corner. Or, guitar played by my husband Mark. Lily will be there with us too--our cocker spaniel. Things in the shop might be things I would find on a Bicycle Morning--sweet things spied in a storefront, or in a doorway, or a cafe. Things to savor, enjoy and delight.

The idea for the name came from a favorite childhood song. Maybe you too fell in love with Billy Sans' song "Bicycle Morning" in 1975? My Grandaddy Billy loved music--all kinds of music. He also loved to buy records and he frequently surprised us with musical treats. This 45 was one such gift. We loved the song "Bicycle Morning," happy and upbeat--with lyrics all about sunshiny days, riding along, and bicycle mornings. If I had to pick a song that represented my childhood this would be the one, especially since one of my other favorites was my red banana seat bicycle with streamers on the handlebars...oh, and a shiny plastic basket, with colorful flowers.

The three Campbell girls would spend hours, entire days riding our bikes. In our minds eye we travelled all over the world, through mountains, over streams, to cities far and wide, to beaches and boardwalks. Along the way, we collected all kinds of things on our bikes, (again in our vivid imaginations these were no mere bikes, they often served as horses, cars and even trains). We gathered wildflowers, stones, pinecones, shells, and pretty twigs--all piled in our baskets. Sometimes we would carry our dolls, a snack, our swimsuits, or books--all essential items for a good day of exploring the world.

So when I thought about a name for the shop Bicycle Morning seemed an appropriate fit. A place to explore my creative energy. A place to share things discovered during travels, and a place to display interesting and unique collections (a gift and a pleasure inherited from my mother). But, unlike my girlhood self, my adult person has found many reasons not to begin the Bicycle Morning creation. Just dreaming but not doing. Thinking but not starting. Until today. This post was written off the cuff. Something I want to cultivate--more spontaneity and courage, less editing and second guessing. So, here's to the start of a Bicycle Morning--it's going to be a sunshiny day, being in love all the way!