Shop Local

For several years there has been a Chamber of Commerce sponsored "Shop Lancaster" effort. And I am all for that. As a realtor, I clearly understand the importance of supporting local businesses. But this morning, I found myself wishing I had shopped far, far away from my beloved home town corner drug store.

I realized I needed stamps. Then I realized I was much closer to the drug store than to the post office. And while at the drug store, I could also pick up body wash, another item on my to do list for today and something I definitely could not get at the post office. As I made my way quickly through the drug store, I also remembered that I needed some feminine hygiene products. Without thinking much about the choices and more importantly without my trusty reading glasses, I grabbed the first I saw.... which sadly turned out to be of the "Sweet Romance" variety. Finally, as I rounded the last aisle toward check-out, I noted that my favorite wine was on sale, and at a great price no less. I just couldn't pass it up. Note to readers: It is probably not the best idea for the pharmacy to sell wine. I'm just saying.....

So, let's get the whole picture......it's 10:00 am. I am in the local drug store where like Cheers, "everybody knows your name." I think half the staff has told me they graduated from high school with Adrian. And remember my basket...my basket for check-out that now consists of several (but who's counting) bottles of wine, my "sweet romance" feminine product, body wash....and, oh yes, the stamps which were the reason for my trip to begin with.

Now, it's a sunny almost spring Friday morning in LA, and I suppose I am looking fairly cute in my salmon colored cropped skinny jeans. As I stood at check out, I suddenly regretted that I also was wearing my hot animal print slingback pimps....um that's pumps.... you know, the ones with the three inch heels. As the suddenly quite disapproving clerk peered over her glasses I thought let's just get this check out done and get out of here. But she intentionally it seemed oh so slowly took each item ceremoniously out of my basket.......first the body wash....then the Sweet Romance......then the several bottles of wine. Just as I thought it couldn't possibly get worse, and with my little cluster of shame sitting not so ceremoniously now on the very public counter, it happened. She was yelling "Could I Get a Price Check on the Big Bottles of Moscato Wine? Denise's got several here." I am sure she is thinking girl, you are way too old to be planning a party like the one these purchases indicate.

I arrived home, opened my bags, still shaking my head, when I suddenly realized, I had left my stamps. Had my sale actually managed to close last week, I might have chosen to just leave the stamps. As it were, back I went, back to the scene of my earlier shame, back to my favorite corner drug store.

Oh well, at least I shopped Lancaster.