Every day we do little things. Small movements and tiny choices that have big repercussions. The little lives we live are full of promise and value. If anyone tells you otherwise - send them to me.
How nice to be in a neighborhood with all those small businesses so close by. We used to have a small independent grocery store near us (maybe 6 or 7 blocks away). I sent my son when he was oh maybe 7 or 8 to get me a lemon. I told him to pick out the biggest one since I was going to make a lemon pie and like to have lots of lemon zest for the filling. So he went and came back with a really big one. The only thing was that it was a grapefruit and not a lemon!
😀 that is the sweetest story!! Having a little grocery store nearby is great when you can send the kids down to do the shopping! I bet he never mixed up grapefruits and lemons again. We were always riding our bikes to the dairy for my mum.
How I envy you having local businesses that are not box-stores. We have a big chain supermarket up the road, and a horrid convenience store across the street that took out our view of the Milky Way at night. The small mom-and-pop shops (appliance store, clothing shop) closed years ago. The closest book store (in Japanese) is in a big mall about 15 minutes away by subway. The library (also in Japanese) is a 20-minute cycle.
There is a JA (Japan Agriculture) outlet where we can buy fresh produce, seedlings, and things for farming, that is near the library. That’s where a lot of farmers take their goods to sell. YAY! But it’s not a place we can go to every day.
There are few restaurants nearby, one pricey bread shop (delicious, but not on a regular basis). But we make do. I wish there were more locally-owned shops to patronize. Have cut out Amazon, but still have to rely on web-based purchasing for books.
Our little farm out back is very important! It doesn’t produce books or shoes, but I have enough, and enough is enough.
It is interesting how no matter where we are in the world these little corner stores are disappearing. Let’s hope one day there is movement back to small businesses like shoe repairs, and clothing alterations, little vege shops like the one here - but everywhere.
Are there cafes or tea shops around you? There in Japan?
There's a chain coffee shop that I don't frequent, but the bread shop/bakery I mentioned is also a cafe. The breakfast is more than you can eat - fresh-baked bread, a boiled egg, coffee. But it's not cheap. For travelers, the price would be great, but for the average Japanese, again, it's not a place you'd go every day. Delicious bread, though. I, too, wish we had more and various small businesses nearby!
I'm lucky that way too. In walking distance I have the post office, the doctor, the library, the pharmacy, the bakery, the hairdresser and a very small branch of one of the two big supermarkets. My favourite of them all is the library. Sally the librarian and I have long conversations about life, books, the state of the world, what we're growing and where we're travelling to next. And you remind me I need to book a session at the pharmacy for the flu and shingles shots.
I had whooping cough when I was 17 (they were just learning that the vaccines were only effective for around 10 years). It’s no joke, and I would hate for a Mumma and bubba to go through it. If you can have the vaccination booster, do it! If you can’t then wait to meet bubba in person until they’ve had their first round of immunisations. Same with all the illnesses, but I can speak from experience with whooping cough.
I am immunized now and as I will be with Daughter at the birth and living with her for a while it was important to me to do everything I could to keep them healthy.
I do walk to my downtown most every day, my favorite shape is sparrow market, where I can buy a loaf of bread, fresh veg and fruit, coffee, and meat or fish. on the weekends there is an outdoor farmers market there, so I can buy fresh from them too. I love it and it is a good walk as well. I really love being able to have this option. what is food you bought from the Iranian grocer? that is new to me
Masking (as adults) is great protection from all airborne pathogens, and flu & covid boosters valuable for the most commonly circulating ones that can have serious impacts on immature immune systems.
I’m glad you do that. That’s a true sign of community thinking ❤️
But I would be even happier to hear that you wear masks (at least in crowded/poorly ventilated spaces) even when not sick yourself: most respiratory illnesses are contagious while asymptomatic, so you really don’t know what you might be taking home unknowingly.
I love my little community here in Spain too and I like to support the local businesses. I don't have a garden but I have a palm tree, a cactus garden and lots of pots with flowers and herbs. And neighbours with overflowing lemon trees that produce fruit all year round. I will never have to buy a lemon again! Good for you for getting your whopping cough vaccination. xo
How nice to be in a neighborhood with all those small businesses so close by. We used to have a small independent grocery store near us (maybe 6 or 7 blocks away). I sent my son when he was oh maybe 7 or 8 to get me a lemon. I told him to pick out the biggest one since I was going to make a lemon pie and like to have lots of lemon zest for the filling. So he went and came back with a really big one. The only thing was that it was a grapefruit and not a lemon!
😀 that is the sweetest story!! Having a little grocery store nearby is great when you can send the kids down to do the shopping! I bet he never mixed up grapefruits and lemons again. We were always riding our bikes to the dairy for my mum.
Cecilia,
How I envy you having local businesses that are not box-stores. We have a big chain supermarket up the road, and a horrid convenience store across the street that took out our view of the Milky Way at night. The small mom-and-pop shops (appliance store, clothing shop) closed years ago. The closest book store (in Japanese) is in a big mall about 15 minutes away by subway. The library (also in Japanese) is a 20-minute cycle.
There is a JA (Japan Agriculture) outlet where we can buy fresh produce, seedlings, and things for farming, that is near the library. That’s where a lot of farmers take their goods to sell. YAY! But it’s not a place we can go to every day.
There are few restaurants nearby, one pricey bread shop (delicious, but not on a regular basis). But we make do. I wish there were more locally-owned shops to patronize. Have cut out Amazon, but still have to rely on web-based purchasing for books.
Our little farm out back is very important! It doesn’t produce books or shoes, but I have enough, and enough is enough.
Hi, TimTam. Did you enjoy your walk?
It is interesting how no matter where we are in the world these little corner stores are disappearing. Let’s hope one day there is movement back to small businesses like shoe repairs, and clothing alterations, little vege shops like the one here - but everywhere.
Are there cafes or tea shops around you? There in Japan?
There's a chain coffee shop that I don't frequent, but the bread shop/bakery I mentioned is also a cafe. The breakfast is more than you can eat - fresh-baked bread, a boiled egg, coffee. But it's not cheap. For travelers, the price would be great, but for the average Japanese, again, it's not a place you'd go every day. Delicious bread, though. I, too, wish we had more and various small businesses nearby!
I'm lucky that way too. In walking distance I have the post office, the doctor, the library, the pharmacy, the bakery, the hairdresser and a very small branch of one of the two big supermarkets. My favourite of them all is the library. Sally the librarian and I have long conversations about life, books, the state of the world, what we're growing and where we're travelling to next. And you remind me I need to book a session at the pharmacy for the flu and shingles shots.
That sounds great! Sadly for me the library is a 30 minute walk but I must do it soon anyway. And see if I can get a card (and maybe a job!).
I had whooping cough when I was 17 (they were just learning that the vaccines were only effective for around 10 years). It’s no joke, and I would hate for a Mumma and bubba to go through it. If you can have the vaccination booster, do it! If you can’t then wait to meet bubba in person until they’ve had their first round of immunisations. Same with all the illnesses, but I can speak from experience with whooping cough.
I am immunized now and as I will be with Daughter at the birth and living with her for a while it was important to me to do everything I could to keep them healthy.
For a time, I lived in Washington with a friend in Georgetown. It was so fun to walk to "town" and shop locally. Buying fresh.
Yes! Plus when we walk - we do not overbuy. We have to carry it all home. 😀
I do walk to my downtown most every day, my favorite shape is sparrow market, where I can buy a loaf of bread, fresh veg and fruit, coffee, and meat or fish. on the weekends there is an outdoor farmers market there, so I can buy fresh from them too. I love it and it is a good walk as well. I really love being able to have this option. what is food you bought from the Iranian grocer? that is new to me
He and his sister sell fruit and groceries and yoghurt and some middle eastern pastries. . Such a lovely family. Always welcoming with a smile.
Masking (as adults) is great protection from all airborne pathogens, and flu & covid boosters valuable for the most commonly circulating ones that can have serious impacts on immature immune systems.
Take good care!
I agree. Masks are important if we go out when sick. One thing Covid helped with- making masks more acceptable. Thank you!
I’m glad you do that. That’s a true sign of community thinking ❤️
But I would be even happier to hear that you wear masks (at least in crowded/poorly ventilated spaces) even when not sick yourself: most respiratory illnesses are contagious while asymptomatic, so you really don’t know what you might be taking home unknowingly.
I love my little community here in Spain too and I like to support the local businesses. I don't have a garden but I have a palm tree, a cactus garden and lots of pots with flowers and herbs. And neighbours with overflowing lemon trees that produce fruit all year round. I will never have to buy a lemon again! Good for you for getting your whopping cough vaccination. xo