Yes, we really need our downtowns. For many reasons. But they ain't free.
The love of my life wanted an edger for Christmas. I looked at the battery Stihl edgers, but they did not use the same battery as her hedge trimmers or her weed wacker. So I decided to go gasoline. I could have bought if off of Amazon for around $325, for around $400 in a nearby city, or $450 at a local feed and seed store. One of my wife's friends worked there. Because I can afford it, I chose to buy locally. I asked my wife's friend to not tell my wife that I bought it because it was a Christmas present for her. The look of excitement on my wife's friend's face was almost worth the $125. But more importantly, I supported my neighbors.
I hope I helped our little downtown to live another day competing against the mighty Amazon. I wish more people would do the same.
Last Christmas my husband gave me a cordless jigsaw, and the year before, a cordless drill. I let him use them if he needs to, but he usually is happy to let me do the work. When he was in the hospital having one of his knee replacements, I used my reciprocating saw to remove the wall between our kitchen and dining room. We never used the dining room, so now it serves as a pantry.
When my wife and I have been apart for more than a few days and I'm headed home, I always seem to have the old CW song made famous by Dave Dudley going through my head: "Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight!" Way to find the humor in the everyday, Garrison.
I was fortunate to hear (and watch) the dress rehearsal for Barber with about 300 teenagers yesterday. It is always a joy to know that we have another generation learning about and enjoying good music. I was particularly impressed that the pit orchestra did not drown out the singers - it happens all too often.
I hope you enjoy “Le Nozze di Fígaro”, one of my favorite operas. I’m jealous of your wife - I would love to be able to play in an opera orchestra! I had 5 years of violin lessons and 4 years of clarinet lessons, but didn’t have time to continue practicing once I went to college.
The only metal parts I have are three dental implants, but they are apparently too small to be detected in airport security checks. My husband had both hips and both knees replaced in his mid-60s, almost 20 years ago, so he always has to go through the indignity of being patted down. I just sit on a bench on the other side, waiting for him to pick up his belt, phone, wallet, keys, outer clothing, etc. from multiple plastic trays. I always wear elastic waist pants and slip-on shoes when I travel, and carry all of my possessions in a multi-compartment travel bag, so everything fits in one tray. I am almost 76, so I no longer have to take off my shoes, but the last time I flew I had to show my ID to prove my age. Right after finishing with my whole-body skin check by a dermatology NP last week, the technician who was assisting her and taking notes went over and looked at my personal information on her iPad and said, “I never would have guessed that you were 75!” I thanked her for the compliment and mentioned that I would be 76 in a few weeks.
This is exactly the kind of post we love-- you making us see the magic of daily life in the midst of many new Millennium/gov. in chaos distractions! Thank you Garrison!
Downtown Saint Paul has always been a magical place to me. Daytons, the main library, and most importantly Musicland, where the KDWB and WDGY weekly top 40 charts resided. 🎶🎶
Hate to say it, but both downtowns seem like Wild West ghost towns for the most part. Loved going down there in my teenage years. Downtown St. Paul is just dull unless the Wild are playing or if there's an Ordway production, unfortunately.
Recently listened to your novel “WLT“ again, it is still one of my favorite novels, and I have read a lot of them. Thanks for that and a lot of other pleasant hours over the years.
What a wonderful way to start my day… giggling while reading your hilarious essay! Thank you 😊
Very funny!
🤣 and 😩. Laughter helps.
This is beautiful.
Dayton’s still exists. Today it’s name is Target.
I used to know every Dayton's department in Mpls. Target isn't as much fun!
Yes, we really need our downtowns. For many reasons. But they ain't free.
The love of my life wanted an edger for Christmas. I looked at the battery Stihl edgers, but they did not use the same battery as her hedge trimmers or her weed wacker. So I decided to go gasoline. I could have bought if off of Amazon for around $325, for around $400 in a nearby city, or $450 at a local feed and seed store. One of my wife's friends worked there. Because I can afford it, I chose to buy locally. I asked my wife's friend to not tell my wife that I bought it because it was a Christmas present for her. The look of excitement on my wife's friend's face was almost worth the $125. But more importantly, I supported my neighbors.
I hope I helped our little downtown to live another day competing against the mighty Amazon. I wish more people would do the same.
There comes a point in a good marriage when it’s proper to buy your wife a chainsaw for her birthday, I have learned.
Last Christmas my husband gave me a cordless jigsaw, and the year before, a cordless drill. I let him use them if he needs to, but he usually is happy to let me do the work. When he was in the hospital having one of his knee replacements, I used my reciprocating saw to remove the wall between our kitchen and dining room. We never used the dining room, so now it serves as a pantry.
😂🤣
When my wife and I have been apart for more than a few days and I'm headed home, I always seem to have the old CW song made famous by Dave Dudley going through my head: "Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight!" Way to find the humor in the everyday, Garrison.
This was a fun ride. My love to you and your bride. Thank you for a nice start to my day.
Our downtowns are aka shopping malls.
I like to try on clothing, which I cannot do on Amazon and clothing from the internet often is a let down because they don't fit.
I was fortunate to hear (and watch) the dress rehearsal for Barber with about 300 teenagers yesterday. It is always a joy to know that we have another generation learning about and enjoying good music. I was particularly impressed that the pit orchestra did not drown out the singers - it happens all too often.
I hope you enjoy “Le Nozze di Fígaro”, one of my favorite operas. I’m jealous of your wife - I would love to be able to play in an opera orchestra! I had 5 years of violin lessons and 4 years of clarinet lessons, but didn’t have time to continue practicing once I went to college.
The only metal parts I have are three dental implants, but they are apparently too small to be detected in airport security checks. My husband had both hips and both knees replaced in his mid-60s, almost 20 years ago, so he always has to go through the indignity of being patted down. I just sit on a bench on the other side, waiting for him to pick up his belt, phone, wallet, keys, outer clothing, etc. from multiple plastic trays. I always wear elastic waist pants and slip-on shoes when I travel, and carry all of my possessions in a multi-compartment travel bag, so everything fits in one tray. I am almost 76, so I no longer have to take off my shoes, but the last time I flew I had to show my ID to prove my age. Right after finishing with my whole-body skin check by a dermatology NP last week, the technician who was assisting her and taking notes went over and looked at my personal information on her iPad and said, “I never would have guessed that you were 75!” I thanked her for the compliment and mentioned that I would be 76 in a few weeks.
I have a titanium shoulder that doesn’t set off alarms, so I keep my mouth and keep on moving.
This is exactly the kind of post we love-- you making us see the magic of daily life in the midst of many new Millennium/gov. in chaos distractions! Thank you Garrison!
Downtown Saint Paul has always been a magical place to me. Daytons, the main library, and most importantly Musicland, where the KDWB and WDGY weekly top 40 charts resided. 🎶🎶
Remember when record stores would play the newest "teen" 45 for you so you could decide whether or not to buy it?
Hate to say it, but both downtowns seem like Wild West ghost towns for the most part. Loved going down there in my teenage years. Downtown St. Paul is just dull unless the Wild are playing or if there's an Ordway production, unfortunately.
Recently listened to your novel “WLT“ again, it is still one of my favorite novels, and I have read a lot of them. Thanks for that and a lot of other pleasant hours over the years.
I loved that clip of Figaro! So much fun!