Notes on a community and an economic downturn.
When I spend a dollar I lovelove to spend it someplace nearby and quaint and local and ecoware, and I have lots of such options in Lauraville and also Hamilton which is officially closer to me than Lauraville but less explored, by me, so far. Red Canoe, Grindon, Zeke’s, Spinster Yarn and Fibers, Bediboo, I am a devotee of them all. Chameleon Café was fab that one time and we will go back. Hamilton Tavern and Clementine I am looking forward to trying you. Alas, I do not spend much money out and about, I admit a serious stinginess, but when I do I want to open the wallet its so great to have these places to go. I do not pretend to be all perfect about this local-commitment; I can spend a good penny at Target too. But point is that I these shops have definitely boosted my love for the b’more. And especially the northeast b’moria. And we are staying in charm city for a few more years now. That economic downturn made the brilliant idea of investing in a house a decisive factor there – would lose a couple limbs trying to sell it now. So no San Fransisco, no Boston, No Philadelphia, No Rochester MN (well, that’s ok with me) and hello to re-commitment to loving the place you are. And it’s true there is a lot I like/love about this place. Yes. A lot. And I love my home and am excited to start up the garden again. But I digress: the lauraville sweetness gives me a set of local friendly great places to support, and bam, the times are hurting them. Well, some crazy number of independently owned small places close good times or bad, so who am I to know what the story is, but of the lot both Rock Candy and now Bediboo have/are closing shop. I admit, I only shopped the Rock Candy awesomeness once. It was awesome though. But Bediboo I have had a bit closer relationship to with the cloth diaper classes and buying of gear and toys for ms. noodle and all. So it’s sad. And none of this even touches the facts of life that the woman living in her car next to where I parked yesterday is facing. Housing crisis, living crisis.
Sorry to be depressing. In my family’s corner of the world we lead a really charmed life and perhaps the most important thing is that we are aware of that and be appreciative.
Now I am going to go buy a new part for the back of the sink and try and be a plumber.
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2 comments:
yea for bmore!!!! yea for staying!
Wow! So glad to hear that you've settled on a decision. Though I have to admit, it seemed from your earlier post and our conversations that B'more would probably end up being the natural choice. Glad your roundabout travels on the way to that decision made it pretty clear. Also, that and the economy sucking.
I nodded enthusiastically as I read what you wrote at the end there...god, how important it is to continually refresh our perspectives on things when we get caught up in little dramas and realize how affluent we all are, relative to so many. That food on the table (and the mere presence of a table in a house where we actually get to live) is sheer affluence. And that we can't take that for granted.
Congrats on knowing what happens next!
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