I came from a big city in a warm place. I've had to adjust to seasons among so many other cultural changes. You have this preconceived notion that coming from a big city to a small town, there couldn't be surprises once a person gets their bearings. The truth is that no statement could be more false. The joy of a smaller place is the exciting wonders you find in the crevices that don't meet the naked eye. These are the secrets of a small town. Point and case:
I've lived in the same smallish town for over a decade now. The beauty of this place is bar-none and the winter isn't near as harsh as Canada. There is a historic downtown which warms my soul. In this particular piece of town there are several antique stores. My younger eyes were more focused on the cafes, bookstores and restaurants than the antique shops. Then, I fell in love with quilting and learned a local secret. There was this wonderful antique store with a fabric shop in the back. Quilt guild members get a discount. This was a new found heaven. When you live in a small town, options for fabric are limited. Then you might get lucky and find a godsend in a woman with great taste in fabric and a love for sewing. Best part is that she not only has great taste in fabric; she has a $3 table!!!!!!
A sad day is approaching this small town. Our very special fabric lady with great taste has decided to retire. She looks very young and spry, so the announcement was a shock to all and I keep asking her where the fountain of youth is to no avail.... Needless to say, my friends and I are very worried about where we will go to get advice, take a break from work in our own personal peaceful place and we will so miss the woman who has filled our minds with creative ideas and our hearts with joy.
Thank you Wilma for everything. We will seek your opinion whenever you allow us, I'm sure!
It is such a heartbreak. I live in Charlotte, NC, a very "new" city lacking in a variety of small businesses but chock full of chain stores and elite department stores. We had one area full of galleries, good food, and local music. Slowly it is fading away. All the galleries have closed, the locally owned cafe is long gone. Just a few die hards remain. It puts me into a panic attack- the thought of not being able to connect with like minds and to be able to get out and look at someone else's work instead of your own. While the internet is amazing, sometimes it gets tiring staring at a screen.
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