just a thought.

Thanks for the skirt love yesterday, kids! I successfully wore it the entire day, rolled around with the dog while wearing it, grilled burgers for the boys in it, and walked home from work through very windy conditions, and nary a soul had to witness my naughty bits. Ahem. As much as I complained about how large the skirt is (and how far it wraps around my bod), it certainly makes for a confident strut when my hands are full and the wind is blowing half of my skirt over my head.

Anyway...

I had an interesting conversation with a business owner this morning. She and I discussed the economy and the financial mess this country has gotten itself into, and yet business is still pretty good for the both of us. People are out buying, and while they might be buying less, or being selective about the things they DO spend their money on, they're still spending.

But I've noticed something lately...

and I'm sure someone somewhere can and will come along and whip the numbers out of their ass to prove me wrong....

and maybe this is only happening here in this part of the country, or maybe I'm simply imagining it completely...

but it seems as though folks are starting to think about the kind of impact their money has in this world and may be spending it in places that count...small businesses, farmers' markets, craft fairs. I've had customers come into the shop and explain that they stay away from chain stores and big box stores ever since the economy took a nosedive, because they feel the only way to fix the problems we're dealing with now is to start at the bottom and work with the little people. A "redistribution of wealth", as one customer put it. That makes a lot of sense. The old way wasn't working, so let's go back to where we were when it DID work. I like that.

And like I said, I'm sure I'm wrong and there are numbers floating out there to prove it (I know I can't compete with Walmart's prices), but I like to live for just a while in this fantasy world of mine where people really do care, really do pay attention to where their money goes and the impact it has on all of us. I like to think that the number of people shopping at our local farmers' market has doubled (some even say the number has tripled) because people want to do something good for others, something good with their lives, and maybe even improve their health at the same time. It has to start small, and it has to start somewhere. I read the statistics recently on the drastic increase of people growing their own food, not only to save money but to teach their children and their peers that food doesn't always have to come in a box or a can, no matter how convenient. There's always a choice out there. It's just a matter of looking for it and choosing the right option for you and your family.

I'd like to think that maybe we're collectively starting to move into a whole new way of thinking and living, and I can only hope that we'll be a more responsible people when we get there.

The cynical part of me wants to erase this post completely for sounding like such a dreamer, but I know that as people, we're all capable of real change.

Go here to find out how your money can directly benefit your community instead of disappearing overseas.