I am sure Far Guy would agree with me...that I am a tad cranky.
My visit to the Dermatologist was a failure...biopsies of head, shoulder and chin ( betcha thought I was going to say knees and toes). Uffda. The chin one was something she called a pearl...and she doubts it is cancer. For the others we await the pathology report. Since taking all the biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis...skin cancer is popping up all over.
Our town is changing, one of the grocery stores is closing. It was a store I only went into a few times a year...because the produce department smelled rotten all the time and the meat section had a strange odor.
One of the restaurants is closing. We went there once in awhile for breakfast. Since covid they have been closed Tuesdays and Wednesday.
Walmart did an entire remodel...I have not been inside Walmart since last Fall...I just order groceries to be picked up. Who knew...new floors...stuff stacked higher than a very tall person can reach...nothing is where it used to be. I went inside for Aileen's Clear glue...they don't carry it anymore or they moved it so far I never found it...Elmer's tough glue will have to do. It remains to been seen if it works as good as Aileens. I complained at the self check out when the gal there asked if I found everything...yum...NO. She said she was sorry but many things have been discontinued. Oh well...I am a Walmart Plus member so I get free shipping...so if Fed X has to deliver stuff a couple of times a week...
Then...get this...I noticed on Facebook that one of the small Mom and Pop restaurants in a really small town nearby was bought by a honest to goodness Chef. I saw their ad...it said half price dinners $60.00 I thought wow then half price would be $30.00 alrighty then. I went to the website...the regular price is $120.00 per person, they have two seatings a night and you should make a reservation with a deposit of $20 per person. The menu...lots of fancy stuff that I would not eat anyway...well maybe the brownie for dessert! This restaurant is located just off a highway that is going to be under construction all Summer. So much for fancy...then again maybe people will show up in limo's from Fargo and Minneapolis/St. Paul. I can just see ladies in heels walking through a road construction zone.
Needless to say I rarely spend $120 a week for groceries...so those prices are out of my comfort zone.
Other small town rumors: The old bowling alley was demolished last Fall and a new building is being built in it's place...it may or may not have event rooms and pizza. That makes four pizza shops in town. The Furniture Store in town that has been having a moving sale for a couple of years is moving into a different building...and the event rooms there may or may not be used. A new Ice Cream shop may open...that makes four ice cream shops in town not counting Dairy Queen. One eatery downtown may or may not have caused a whole family to have food poisoning. As far as I know there are no new auto parts stores slated to open...perhaps the max has been reached with four. So if you need auto parts, pizza or ice cream you should be able to find some in town....oh yes and candy...but there are only three candy shops to choose from.
It must have been in the air, because I was cranky yesterday. Speaking of stores, our grocery store and Wal-mart did a complete remodel and you can't find anything. It is a headache for sure, and yes, Wal-mart stopped selling a lot of things (at least in our area anyway).
ReplyDeletei've noticed that at walmart as well...many no salt items have now disappeared...gentrification happens everywhere...a small town in maine near where my mom lived has now become an upscale, trendy destination forcing out long-time residents with ridiculous real estate prices...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely notice that times are a-changing around here, too.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's not skin cancer. You already have enough to deal with.
ReplyDeleteGoodness! $120 and a deposit for dinner! Too fancy for most people. Customers just might have to drive from far away! Be curious if it stays in business. It might if they advertise to draw the type of clientele they need.
It is interesting the changes that covid has made to small town businesses. Here many restaurants (okay we don't have that many) reduced hours, were closed different days. I think for a while every restaurant was closed on Monday. It took a long time before you could go out for breakfast anywhere except McDonalds.
ReplyDeleteWhat we find fascinating is when we drive nextdoor to the Big Town. There are lots of chains like Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Texas Roadhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse, Applebees, Cracker Barrel, etc etc. And on weekday night the parking lots are full! How can families afford this? $120 a person? Wow. Even fancy food isn't worth it.
Our vocational school is offering a "couples cooking class" to help teach people how to cook at home. I clicked on the info just for fun. Tuition is $65 for the couple and supplies (steak, twice baked potato, roasted green beans and chocolate covered strawberries) are an additional $65. So $130 for a dinner you cook yourself and eat in a classroom. I told my husband he needs to appreciate my skills a little more. Now I am wondering if the $65 is per person or per couple. Back to investigate more.
Well, that dang arthritis med!! Have they switched you over to something less...threatening?
ReplyDeleteHate to hear about all the closings...same here...one goes, another opens.
Try to find something fun to do this weekend...maybe one of those ice cream shops?
hugs
Donna
No I am not taking any arthritis meds now, I am either allergic or they are ineffective. Tylenol and Gummies keep me going.
DeleteI can feel that cranky feeling from here - and you are totally entitled to feel it. I hope ALL the labs come back clean on those skin biopsies. Wow - I had no idea that an increase in skin cancers can happen after other health treatments. Hang in there!! And I'm with you on NOT spending $120 on just one meal. Yikes!! Our community has had several long time restaurants close, and now some new ones opening. But none are charging that kind of price.
ReplyDeletePrayers that the biopsies come back clear! My goodness...your town sounds a tad bit like ours. We are a small town, but somehow we have 3 auto parts stores. 3 pizza places with another one going in, and small businesses have closed doors. Goodness...what kind of food do you get for $120.00? Just a couple of years ago, Sam and I could go eat for less than $20.00....now, it is more like $35.00-$40.00. Way too high!! I sometimes have to give myself permission to be a little cranky...tomorrow will be a better day...
ReplyDeleteDinner Spring 2025
DeleteThree Courses plus Intermezzo and Final Taste. -120 per person
1st Relish Tray
Sumac and Zaatar dipped Lebneh in olive oil, Chicken Liver Pate, Hummus, Pickled Egg, Sourdough Breads and Rolls, Compound Butter, Chili Glazed Bacon, Salted Vegetables, Dukkah
Intermezzo "Shots"
Chicken & Shiitake Consomme, Pernod spiked chilled Licorice tea
2nd Mains
-Grassfed Lamb - Cut of the Day with its Jus
-USDA Prime Ribeye - Roast on the bones. Served with its Jus
-Walleye en Papillote - with Hard Herbs and Garlic served with Hollandaise Sauce
Accompaniments for the table
Greens, Grits, Beans, Mustard, Horseradish, Cheese, Cracker, Onion Chutney
3rd Dessert
Brown Butter Ice Cream, Honeycomb, Pomegranate Molasses, Shattered Cone
Parting Tastes
Brownies, Bars, Popcorn
Fingers crossed it's not cancer. I don't think that restaurant we be open for long, I wonder what the thinking was that made it seem like a good idea. I may be one of a very few who have never been inside a Walmart. Judging from the photos I've seen over the years, I'm missing something!
ReplyDeleteLife is a difficult journey. Food at 120.00 a seating is pretty ridiculous. Must be some rich folks in your town to keep that going. How big is your town. The closest town to me (not my address as that village only has a dollar store) Russellville, AR has 18,000 people. I live 2 miles from its city limits.
ReplyDelete4,302 people but since it is a tourist area it doubles or triples in the Summer. We live 14 miles away.
DeleteWalmart remodeled here two years ago. The clothing area looks more like a mall with attractive displays throughout. I order grocery pickup and/or delivery. It’s convenient and I don’t make impulse purchases.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like there are lots of things changing in your nearby town. I don't even like eating out...let alone paying outrageous prices!!
ReplyDeleteThe types of restaurants (pizza and ice cream and candy) make me think your town is a tourist destination. And I don't see a restaurant charging 120 a person (or even 60 a person) lasting long in rural(ish) MN.
ReplyDeleteYour town is certainly going through some changes.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that the biopsies are clear. Good luck!
That is a ridiculous amount for a dinner. I wonder how long they will stay in business with those prices. Sorry to hear about the biologics causing skin cancer. I had no idea they would do that.
ReplyDeleteI always hated when my frequently shopped at store decides to rearrange things and it then takes me months of figuring out where everything I normally get is located again. But I would take those days back in an instant. Last summer, it closed up permanently so now I have to drive clear across town to do my shopping and I still don't know where anything is located.
ReplyDeleteThings will green up rapidly as it warms up and we get long days.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to keep a business going in smaller communities.
ReplyDeleteThe life of a small town!
ReplyDeleteLollie is so cute!!! How much fun for your sister. Our small town is changing also. Lots of people moving in, but not businesses. Our city manager is a twirp and treats the town as if it is her very own. The town council lets her do it. So people move here (sigh) and travel to Montrose or Grand Junction.
ReplyDeleteChanges are hard to deal with. Your town has too many. Sign of the times?
ReplyDeleteThis morning at my Safeway I was looking for the cushioned Band Aids I need for my burned finger. I bought them there. They are not there any more. Something else I wanted wasn't there either. Grrr.
Wow...some interesting things happening around town, it sounds like. Don't like to hear about stores closing...always enjoy new ones opening though. That restaurant sounds awfully expensive to me too. Sorry about your doctor visit....hope it all comes out A-OK.
ReplyDeleteSame story here in E.Ontario. We don't have a famous chef coming in though.
ReplyDelete