Out of Business Stores

All photos and written works copyrighted sstaas. All rights reserved.

These long summer days here in the suburbs are adorned with butterflies and bonnie flowers. Even the weeds look nice and welcoming.

In the local village, however, people sip on their coffees and teas and bemoan the number of stores closed, gone out of business. They saunter about in sandals and cropped trousers, their shiny toenails flirting with the hot sidewalks.

"Not another store with a 'for rent' sign!"



"What about the lampshade store? Where did it go? I wanted to buy a new lampshade."

"Let's start at one end of the street and start counting. I think last week I counted nine. Nine stores gone out of business. I've never known this to happen before, never. Not in my whole life."

"Oh my. Where's the spray tan place? I swear it was here two weeks ago. What about my coupon? Do you think I can still use it?"

"They say that the parking meters are free on Saturdays. Maybe that will bring more people."

Some of the wealthiest people in the nation live in and around the village, but I guess they're not shopping here.

But, all is not lost. New ventures are sprouting forth, new ideas are floruishing, just like the flowers on the deck, and new enterprises are on the horizon. Evolution in progress.

The future could well be as superb as a butterfly.

Better grasp it before it flies away.

Are there stores going out of business where you live?

Mr Whippy, Hot Dogs and Ice Cream

All photos and written works are copyrighted sstaas. All rights reserved.

I would love a nice yummy ice cream just now. It's hot and humid here in the suburbs. Not only that, this morning I mowed the grass out back, way out back next to the woods. I usually charge full steam ahead, stomping my feet as I go, making as much noise as possible, that way, any snakes lurking about will take off. I still haven't seen any this year as yet though. That's a nice suprise. Then, this afternoon, I decided to paint one of the bathrooms. All the bending, stretching, and cursing each time I splashed paint on the floor has made me really ready for something cold. But, how many calories are there in an ice cream?!



It's still nice to look at Mr. Whippy's ice cream and my polaroid manipulation of the Hot Dogs and Ice Cream sign. I took the Mr. Whippy photo in Edinburgh, on one of many trips back home. The Hot Dogs and Ice cream I made in South Carolina.

Gazing at these photos is a lovely break from all this yard work and decorating. Now I have to go give the bathroom a second coat of paint. And unless it rains I'll have to water the garden. Now that the bathroom is looking nice, I think the hall could do with a coat of paint. This is never-ending! And in a day or two I'll need to cut the grass out front. The bushes need to be trimmed as well.

So much activity here in the suburbs. It's exhausting. Maybe a teeny tiny ice cream topped with some nice red wine is in order? Then I'll imagine I'm sitting on the beach underneath the Hot Dogs and Ice Cream sign enjoying a Mr. Whippy ice cream cone. Sure, why not?!

How do you like to spend a hot summer day?

Bird Bath and Soliciting

Life is good in the land of the suburbs.

The plants are growing nicely, and the colours are vibrant. So far the deer haven't appeared to gobble up the hosta. So far the bunny rabbits have not gobbled up the impatiens. There's a lot more sun at the side of the house where we had the trees removed last year. Means the tomatoes should be happy campers. And, most importantly of all, so far the black snakes haven't appeared. Well, I personally haven't seen any. Guess they could be lurking around somewhere! They're harmless, but I still don't like them.



I love my bird bath! Every day my 'pet bird' flies by and takes a bath. He usually hangs out in the crabapple tree out front, or on the bushes. It's difficult, if not impossible, to take a photo of him when he's having his bath. I think he might be shy! Next to the bird bath is the lavender. He's doing exceptionally well this year, and has even created himself a baby.

I happened to see someone walk up the pathway to our front door, and immediately thought he could be one of those odd people who insist on trying to persuade you to attend their church. Things like that happen in the suburbs. But, instead all he did was hang an ad. for a local pizza place on the door knob. Such excitement! If I lived in New York, I would miss out on these suburban exquisite slices of life.

But, there's one problem with the pizza people, and all the other people who come by and leave ads. or flyers or free newspapers. What they leave behind are dead giveaways that you're out of town. You're really dependent on a kind neighbour picking them up and disposing of them. I'd just as soon have no solicitors wandering around my neighbourhood. If I want to attend a church, I will. I don't need to be persuaded. If I want to purchase a particular brand of pizza, I will. And, if I want a newspaper, well, I already subscribe to one.

What do you think of soliciting?

Garden Society Communication

Who says life in the suburbs is boring?! Yesterday the whole neighbourhood was buzzing with excitement. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the temperature was around seventy. Flowers were blossoming, grass was being cut, new roofs were being installed. And let's not forget the gardeners who were outside pruning and weeding, admiring their colourful creations. Each person was involved, dedicated to enhancing his or her property.



But, did they notice one another? Hmm. I guess a feeble wave and a loud "Hi!" means communication was also buzzing. And they say New York is a tough city where nobody cares about anybody.

Just wait until the icecream van jingles by. Then there is even more excitement. Sometimes we get two icecream vans. Yes, in the one day. Imagine. They play different tunes as well.

I walk most days throughout the neighbourhood and have 'met' tons of people throughout the years. They always wave and give me a huge, gigantic grin as if we were old friends. I haven't a clue who they are. I just know where they live and I've never had more than a ten second conversation with them. Lots of times, people honk their horn as they drive by. I haven't a clue who they are either. Heck, I can't even see them. And unless I recognize the vehicle there's no way that I can tell who they are.

When I first moved to the United States I used to think that Americans were ever so friendly for they always greeted me exuberantly, unlike the British who tend to take a while to warm up to someone. But, that's as far as the communication seems to go - big waves, huge grins and a loud 'hi'. Granted, since I don't know these people well, that's about all that can be expected. But, why take the trouble to give these big waves and grins and honkings of the car in the first place?

Do you wave and greet people you've never met before?

Artist Painting

All photos and written works copyrighted sstaas. All rights reserved.

I used to think I could learn to paint. At school I was told that I had "very interesting brushstrokes"! Armed with these fine thoughts I finally embarked on learning to paint at a local center for the arts. Whoever commented on my brushstrokes all those years ago must have been searching wildly for something positive to say about my art work. I think it's safe to say that I was about the worst in any of the art classes I took. I kept signing up for more classes, hoping that I'd suddenly discover hidden talents.




Wouldn't it be nice to be as brave as the gentleman in my photo? He stands so proudly, sure of his artwork, not a care in the world.

The hardest part of an art class for me is the blank canvas. It looms in front of you, as if to challenge you into duelling with it. People in the know can transform it into a drawing, a painting, something pleasant to regard. But, not only are you required to deal with the blankness of the canvas, you are also subjected to the stares and glances of others! I hate that. I remember positioning the easel in such a way that nobody could see what I was painting. Clever me, I thought. I carried on my merry way of dabbing here and splashing there, creating a fine mess, but it was fun, in a way. Best part, was that nobody could see my work of art, or so I thought. Oops. Right behind me was this huge mirror. Anybody looking at the mirror could see what I was painting!

I decided to take up photography after all these lame attempts at learning to draw or paint. I photograph things that I'd love to be able to draw or paint.

Are you an artist? Do you paint?