A Day in the Neighborhood

We were given a 1/2″ of rain yesterday and the neighborhood is going wild with mowing their lawns.

Dennis and I enjoyed our monthly spa day at Maria’s.  Dennis and her work through the places that each is familiar with in the western part of the U.S.A.  Dennis was either hauling pullouts out west for huge farmers or picking up old hens for Campbell’s Soup in Worthington.  Maria was either harvesting asparagus in the state of Washington or harvesting Vidalia onions in Montana.  It’s fun listening to them both.

Dennis and I both came out of Maria’s shop with happy feet and great haircuts.

I went back up town after dropping Dennis off at home.  Today, was the last day for the main street store called the County Collage, closing at 2 pm.  Karen has had the store open for ten years.  The bottom line could no longer be in the black.  Our community is 60% Mexican, many of us retired that need very little and that doesn’t leave much of a chance for the front door bell to ring.

Karen spent many years as the town clerk for Lewisville, a small town in the county.  We worked years together with local government items.  Since she announced closing the store this spring, I took the opportunity to try to stop in weekly for moral support.  This last week with 80% off, there is little left for donating to Goodwill.  Many furniture items used in the interior decor was also sold.  This afternoon many individuals were picking up the items they had spoken for.

Small town retail stores need a lot of local support . . . that was lacking even with the Chamber not helping.  I know Karen will be finding employment soon.  She and her husband are also farmers.  Karen asked me to stop in next week as she tidies up the store to turn in her keys.  She has been renting from the community owned Opera House Association. That hoped for attraction to the town also fell apart years ago.  The coffee shop that was adjacent to the Collage via a few steps and open door will most likely feel the impact perhaps both in business or rent.

With that I will take my leave.  ♥