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Today, our local bookstore of 20 years, closed its doors for good. This was a tragic thing in our house. If you didnt know already, the way to our kids heart is thru a book. S and I are pretty easily won over that way as well.There was a huge commotion in town when everyone realized that they were closing. Losing a local shop is a big deal. Especially one that gives back to the community as much as this one did. One of the big questions that was surfacing was what was going to happen to all the customers who had gift cards to redeem.
The answer to that was soon revealed in the newspaper as well as the local news stations. They would reopen the store for a few days to allow final sales and the redemption of gift cards.
So, thats why at 945, this past Friday morning, you would have found me heading towards this. Can you see S in that crowd? I was taking this pic as I was walking up to meet him. I made the best mama decision ever and decided that G would not partake in this bookstore event. He got to stay at Grammy's house and play.
Everyone in front of us. We are headed for that pointy roof up there.
This man in front of us knew he was in for a lomg wait. He brought reading material. Good idea.
Dont you just love his hat, tho.
Good waiting in line shoes.
This is our spot. Right next to the hydrangea tree. It looks much prettier in the spring. Honest. (Right about here in the line was where the lady that worked at the ice cream shop came out and began to take coffee orders. Then she brought out steaming hot coffee to people. Very good idea. And I dont even drink coffee.)
Can you see us?
The back of the line. Look. Theres our very own weather forecaster from one of the local news stations.
Shes my favorite weather forecaster.
Inside it was a ZOO. People everywhere. Walking around with piles and piles of books in their arms. Everything in the store was for sale. Even the silverware at the cafe. Even the coffeebeans. The smoothie mixes. The little bell that you rang to get help at the counter. Yep, that, too. You name it, it was for sale.
Here's my purchases. A bucket and a pile.
We entered the store at 10 am. and got in line at 1045 am. The line was already at the back of the store. About the time that S made it past the music section his arms were getting pretty tired. So, thats when he unloaded all the books he had into that great metal bucket. When I found him in the line, I, of course, had to tell him how much I liked his bucket. Which is when he replies, well thank you. It was either this nice bucket or that black cauldron over there. And I thought that you would like the bucket better. I have such a good man.
S had to take off at 11am. I, on the other hand, got to stay in the line to use all my gift cards. I had 6 with known amounts and 3 with unknown amounts. The line was moving very slowly and I chatted with a couple people behind me. Till they bailed anyway. They couldnt take it, I guess.
At any rate, I finally made it to the counter. But not before the big story of the morning reached our part of the line. Said person that just checked out spent a total of $980 dollars appx. Really? I wonder if that was all in gift cards?
The counter area was crazy all on its own. People would enter the store and see the long lines. Decide they didnt want to take the time to stand in the line. They would then proceed to try to sell their gift cards right there to the people getting ready to check out. They were making bargains....$20 card for 15 bucks. Some people took the deal. Others did not.
As for me? I managed to spend $147. The rest of my cards I handed to the couple behind me as I got done. Final time? It was 1240 when I departed the store. I spent a long, damn time in that line. Had it not been for the kids Im not sure that I would have done that. Long lines, lotsa people, crowded spaces? Not my cup of tea. Im just sayin.
We made our way to the local pumpkin patch today. This also happens to be the apple orchard that I have spoken of in previous posts. The kids are always anxious to go and search for the perfect pumpkin so that we have them ready for our annual pumpkin carving party. Friends and family come over and we spend all night eating, visiting, and carving pumpkins....doesnt get much better than that!This trip began like every other. J is always excited to pull the wagon.
Then he ditches it just upon first sight of an orange orb. See him? Im pretty sure this is where the wagon got dropped.
There is a lot of walking and looking...looking and walking. If you put your foot on a pumpkin, its a sure sign that it may be THE one. Im not sure what that means, exactly, but it never fails...they find a prospective pumpkin...and BAM. The foot gets set upon it. Then they have to call out to each other for inspection and possible approval.
These? Just thought they looked nice. Made me think back to the days before I had 3 kids.... when things were much more full and symmetrical.
Here we go...a man on a mission. Look at that determination. The importance of each step.
Doh! Im okay. Im good. Did anybody see that? Just pick yourself up and keep on walking. Like it never even happened.
Looks like hes found a good one.
He lifts it up and gets it in the wagon. Perfect. One down. Two to go.
Now, let me tell you the rules of the perfect pumpkin. 1. You must detach the pumpkin from the vine by yourself. 2. You must be able to carry the pumpkin from its resting spot to the wagon(wherever that may be) totally on your own. 3. You then must decide if you will be able to carve and decorate said pumpkin without the help of mom and dad. (That answer is always yes and then later, at the party, it seems to quickly turn to no)
Foot on the pumpkin. Assessing.....
Going in for the lift.
She has it! And into the wagon.
Now see here....hes trying to be a little tricky. He has his foot on a pumpkin, but not the one that he ends up choosing. Is that a legal move?
Here we are discussing if that move has now just disqualified that pumpkin all together ....this is very serious business.
Its been decide that its all good. The pumpkin is still in the race. But we are laughing so hard at this point...we are unsure if it will make it to the wagon.
Here we go....moving...moving...tongue hanging out is required for extra ooommpphh.
Into the wagon it goes. Now we have 3!
This is where we said to show us how much you all love your pumpkin......G took that quite literally. And began to kiss the dirty squash. A little dirt never hurt anyone.
Rolling back to the counter to pay. She says she wonders how she got to pull it when it was all full....
All tuckered out...needs a little boost from dad. Keeps losing his boots, tho. Cousin Becca is there to help. She's a pretty good boot keeper.
Since moving to this town almost a year ago, it was made clear very early on that sports are a very big deal. The community comes together and supports the schools very passionately for all things sports. Other things too, but its a well known fact that football is something sacred here. So, we were not let down when we got to see the Homecoming parade this afternoon.
We had to have a lookout person. Can you go to a parade without one? Someone has to holler out...Here they come!
Waiting very patiently for things to get going....and enjoying the sounds of the marching band as well.
Ooohhh...here we go....keep on throwing that candy out here.
Im not sure what the draw is for these here golf carts. But around here they are ridden all around town.
Look at all this good stuff...you see it? Here..let me show you.
Pretty cool float. Bet that took some time and some kids to pull that off. Oh and lots of pencils, glue, and tissue paper. Ahhhh...the good ol days. Do you guys remember making floats?
One of G's friends. Im thinking he has it made. The kids are just bringing him the candy....he doesnt even have to get up outta the wagon. No, he gets to sit nice and easy under the little umbrella.
Pretty horses. They just seem so big to me.
Okay son, get back here. Step away from the float with all the pretty girls on it. Mama's not ready for all that.
His shadow. It really is very intriguing. Grabbed his attention for quite some time. That is until he got tagged in the head by a bag of skittles.
Theres K...way over there...across the street from mama.....shes at that age where hanging out with her pals is serious business.....and dont think I didnt notice you looking at that boy. We will talk about this when we get home, young lady.
Loading up to head back home....time for lunch and naps....
3 bags of candy made it home...mama still needs to go thru it and take out some of the good stuff for herself....What? Dont shake your head at me. You know you do that too.
And as I sit here on my couch this evening, watching the debate on television, I am so close to the school that I can hear the marching band playing and the football fans cheering and the commentator talking as the breeze carries the sounds of community thru my open windows.
To all my OLS pals, I would like to apologize for not being able to finish out the last few weeks. My summer was turned upside down after my surgery and then complications followed that. Please know that I still did eat my local meals the best I could. They just weren't what I had planned or envisioned that my contributions would be. That's not to say that they weren't good!
On the flip side, eating local doesn't have to be fancy and it doesn't have to take a lot of time. I am a prime example of that. As long as you have access to fresh, whole foods....please, please take full advantage of that. It can be as simple as a BLT and some new potato fries.
I would like to send a shout out to Liz, who really put all this together. I read your posts and am inspired all the time. I learn all kinds of things from you. And to El, who took the time to keep us all up to date on the Midwestern OLS'ers. Thanks for everything guys. You are both an inspiration.
I am not sure what week we are on...I am gonna hazard a guess and say 7. Honest, I am still in the game! I promise to do better from now on.
OLS #7
Grilled Strip Steak---grass fed---80 miles
Mashed Yukon gold taters----organic----60 miles
Roasted green beans---90 miles
Sour cream cucumbers----my backyard---okay, so not the sour cream---that was 180 miles and is hormone free
Biscuit----totally not local
Milk---hormone and antibiotic free---180 miles
Now, if only I hadn't just had my braces adjusted....I might be able to enjoy my steak a little more.
