STL DPB ON THE ROAD - SHOP CLARE

Clare, Michigan, has something over 3,000 people. There are a surprising number of good restaurants (and an unsurprising number of bad ones), an old hotel with an air of elegance, a 125 year old city bakery (now incarnated as Cops & Doughnuts, https://copsdoughnuts.com/) and a few interesting shops. We didn't go into this one so I don't know what mysteries were held within. Its main stock seemed to be minerals, geodes, etc., but I wonder if it glows on the darkest night.           

CITY DAILY PHOTO MAY THEME DAY - SHOPPING

I bet we'll see pictures of empty parking lots and well-spaced queues today. Because I am particularly high risk, my doctor has forbidden me from entering stores. Either the family gets things for me or I fall back on the convenience of putting money in Jeff Bezos' pocket. This could be my shopping list for today.         

Black Friday Wishes

Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday and many businesses are closed the following day. That brings an awful American tradition known as Black Friday. Stores open at midnight (and now some as early as 5 PM on the holiday itself) advertising huge (and sometimes deceptive) bargains. Hoards descend on places like Walmart like a swarm of hornets or do their best to burn up Amazon's servers. It is consumerism at its very worst. 

SO DON'T DO IT. DON'T BUY STUFF TODAY. You don't need it. It just makes Jeff Bezos richer than God and hastens environmental breakdown. Make today look like one of our big malls did yesterday.

Fat chance. All our family is buying today is movie tickets. We're going to see Mr. Rogers.         

Consumerism

The back door of a truck that is a mobile women's clothing store. The words are a play on a Supremes song that is more than 50 years old. I wonder how many passers-by got the reference. In any event, more stuff doesn't get you love or anything but  a passing buzz.       

Follow Up

A follow up to yesterday's post, seen at a street festival a few weeks ago. There is a meme in this country (and perhaps elsewhere) about women who get enormous pleasure from shopping, and therefore from consumption. It must briefly fill some hole in their spirits, a place so insecure that it must be filled by stuff. Of course, none of it provides lasting satisfaction. And, as John Lennon said, fun is the one thing that money can't buy.

You might enjoy this little video, The Story Of Stuff.