Dear
Friends:
 It
may seem odd to be writing about trends in reduced travel on the eve of Michigan's deer
hunting season (firearm variety). Purely coincidental. We just got our fall/winter newsletter printed (and
posted online) and have been busy training a new employee to replace another who recently
left in pursuit of his dreams and aspirations (hello Virginia, g'bye Bob). Anyway, it's
been a busy few months...this summer as gasoline spiked to $4+ per gallon I meant to post
this article about "staycations" the name some observers were giving to people
who were foregoing unnecessary travel - opting to stay close to home even when
"taking a vacation". Another new word? Yep, even Wikipedia has a listing
for "staycations" and it seems timely. Save fuel, save cash, enjoy simple
pleasures close to home. Still craving that outdoor experience? Pitch a tent in the back
yard.
And now with folks facing realities of the current economic melt-down,
perhaps there are more reasons than ever to stay close to home. Businesses struggling,
jobs vanishing or moving to foreign lands. It's more critical today than ever before for
consumers to pay attention to their personal shopping habits and do a bit of
self-examination...is the quest for buying the cheapest goods & products available
part of the cause of this mess we're in? Perhaps. That's why we're so proud of the shear
volume of domestically produced products we carry in our humble little shoppe. Sure, we do
sell an item or two made in some distant land by some entity who does not likely employ
your neighbor or pay taxes to help support your local schools. Because of those things, we
try very hard every day to find great products made right here in the greater US of A.
So, when you take your next "staycation" consider the habitat
around you - perhaps we can help you enjoy it just a little bit more with field guides (birds,
trees, rocks, etc.), garden accents, bird feeding equipment, projects and kits for kids of all ages,
and so much more. Happy trails!
Louise Dawson
PS: we found several interesting
articles online concerning "staycations" including one funny, creative
blog by a cheerful Canadian named Vince.
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