The title of this article is connected to going to shows. How, you might ask? Well, your question will be answered shortly. I got the idea for this story from Tim Sternke's letter to the editor in the July 1992 issue of Crown Jewels of the Wire, page. 5. It set me to thinking about shows, so I thought I'd put down a few ideas on the subject. I began writing this material in 1993; I guess I got sidetracked!

Tim's letter was a good one; timely then, and more so today. When the economy gets tight and prices for everything are rising, we all tend to cut down on some things, sometimes because we are just worried, or often because we have no choice. So I would like to give a few reasons why attending shows should not be on our list of things to eliminate, or even on which to cut down.

First of all, to those of you who have attended one or more shows, have you ever once been sorry you went? Didn't you always come home with memories of good times? Even if you didn't find that all-time "want", or make expenses if selling, you still had fun talking with collectors and dealers. I can't think of a single person who ever went home from a show so soured by their experience that they vowed never to attend another one. (If it has happened, it is extremely rare.) There's always something good to take home from every show, whether it is a new insulator for your collection, some new ones to sell, or the memory of a really great conversation with someone there.

Trading through the mail or by computer is really great. I send for beehives by mail often, and many of my beauties arrived at my doorstep in boxes from faraway places (or even nearby). But, it is what I call "the silent exchange". You get the goods, but unless you've done the dealing by phone, you haven't talked to anyone, and even if you have, you didn't see the person. But at a show, you get the warm, noisy, exciting experience of being with people who share your love of insulators; they are there because they have that love in common with you. It's at a show where you can almost always talk to that bottle digger, or that lineman who has great stories to tell. How about the old-time insulator collector at every show who's been in the hobby for over 20 years? That's where you hear some wonderful experiences of collecting in the early days, and of walking the lines or going on searches for insulators.

It's also at the shows where you get to see and talk with the dealers, who spend lots of time and money to go out and find collections. They bring some beautiful, colorful, and often rare insulators. Nothing compares with walking into a room full of insulators! At every show I attend, I feel like a kid in a candy store. Even if there are insulators there that I don't like or can't afford, it is wonderful to see them all. 

One sometimes-forgotten aspect of the shows is the show hosts. It is virtually impossible to be a show host without doing a tremendous amount of work; hall rental, insurance, table placement, dealing with many personalities...the list goes on. Show hosts are very special people; without them, we'd never have shows. They work hard, and they might have some joys, but they're mixed with a lot of grief. So we should attend out of appreciation for what they do for us. They do all the work; all we have to do is load up our stuff and go. 

"Mr. Hyve" and I attended 146 shows from 1973 to 1998, and never once did we have a bad time. Just seeing some of the place names brought up for us a million memories: Allentown, Auburn, Austin, Bakersfield, Berea, Big Bear, Cayucos, Cedar Rapids, Chico, Cortez, Del Mar, Denver, Dillon, El Cajon, Fresno, Herkimer, Houston, Kingman, Lakeland, Lancaster, Las Vegas, Morro Bay, Oakhurst, Ojai, Omaha, Oroville, Paso Robles, Pearland, Portland, Quartzsite, Redmond, Reno, Rochester, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Louis Obispo, Saratoga Springs, St. Charles, Solvang, San Bernardino, Tacoma, Tulare, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Wheaton, and Woodland. Did you go to some or all of these places? Do they bring back pleasant memories for you also?

This information is given simply to make a point; if we could attend shows at these locations with our tight budget, anyone can do it. It's all in what you consider to be top priority. We always felt that the insulator shows came pretty close to the top of the list, and we planned our budget accordingly. We missed many shows due to shortage of funds or illness; but we always felt that the shows were important enough to give up other things so that we could go. 

We met so many friends at the shows throughout the years, who became like family; so many special people with whom we made wonderful memories, had a few laughs, and even a few tears. We were always anxious and happy to see these people again at the next show...and overwhelmed with sadness when we heard of their passing away. 

And now to answer the question of how the title of this article is connected to going to shows; some of you may have heard about "hyacinths to feed the soul". This is outlined in a poem written over 700 years ago and which is reproduced on this page. What does it mean? You might not have enough money or goods or even food. It might look as though attending a show is impossible. But look around. Is there something you could sell? Something you could put off buying? Would perhaps the association at a show do more for you than even an expensive meal or night out? Would you not come away refreshed in your mind and body, more so than if you'd stayed home? It worked for us; it can work for you. 

So, if you want to experience the sheer joy of entering a room full of insulators, meet great people and make good friends, know the happiness of setting up your table or display, and the agony of packing up and saying good-bye, make that extra effort to attend a show. You know that you won't be sorry. Take a plane, train, bus, truck, RV, car, or donkey. You'll have a wonderful time and bring home lots of great memories, and perhaps even find that insulator you've been longing to have. If you don't go, you'll never know if it is sitting there waiting for you. Let that show be your hyacinth!