Winter Wonderlands

I was like a little kid this past Saturday when I was visiting family in the beautiful town of Frederick, Maryland and woke up to see snow falling. Living on the coast of NC we don't see snow very often and unless we head back to Massachusetts (where I grew up) for the holidays it's a rare event in our lives these days. The town of Frederick is really quaint-something straight out of Charles Dickens and the family we were visiting live in a row house in the center of town where everything is decorated and lit for the holidays. It really was like stepping back in time. That's part of what we try to do with this website. Step back in time a little bit and do things the way they used to be done. It's been really interesting to hear how local cobblers and seamstresses are doing a booming business as people are repairing shoes and clothes instead of going out and buying new ones. Consignment stores are also doing well whether they sell clothing or furniture and local mechanics are seeing a boost in business. We are finally repairing and recyling all these material things instead of replacing them. There are those that would argue that without mass production our economy will continue to stagger and faulter and yet without small business how will it do? There is room for both. I tend to lean towards the smaller more locally owned places with unique goods, in most cases higher quality goods and as is often the case, a relationship with the owner. Whatever your personal preferences there is bound to be something for you on our little "old fashioned 21st century" site that will interest you. If not now, later. I guarantee it.

Hope you are all getting through that holiday shopping, spending lots of time with loved ones and giving back in whatever way you can.

For now.

Terry