Backstory – Country Life
This story was written after my last shopping trip to our small town in the Shenandoah Valley. I was really impressed by what I saw and heard. Thought I’d write about it to share the benefits of shopping locally.
Consider This Show – Country Life
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Out here in the country, we can certainly enjoy life. We’re insulated from all the traffic furies of the cities. We have lovely landscapes, the mountains and the rivers. Used to be the one thing we bemoaned was the lack of interesting shopping. Our streets are not lined with boutiques and shoe stores like the cities are.
When we’re looking for some special item, we may turn to the Internet, rather than try to find it in a local shop. It’s fast and easy.
But if you have not tried to shop locally lately, you may be pleasantly surprised. Local stores can access that international market too. And there is a big advantage to actually seeing and feeling the merchandise before you buy, rather than just looking at a picture. You may find interesting clothing and giftware – from the next state or from across the globe.
Markets often have ethnic sections now. You can find wonderfully aromatic Indian and Asian foods, even out here in the country. Spice up in the Mexican aisle or go kosher in the Jewish aisle.
Another local source is the home business. People are designing jewelry, creating wardrobes, making furniture from real wood, providing decorating service. Of course, you have to know someone who knows someone to find these home businesses, but hey, that’s part of the mystique. And if nothing else works, there’s always the week-end yard sale, where one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
[Show #498]
I love this reminder, Annette — our local small business owners do offer us so much without our having to leave the area. Knowing where your food comes from and shortening the time from farm to table is a huge step towards healthy eating and living.