Once in a blue moon

Once in a blue moon, you might find yourself trapped in your dining room by a global pandemic, slightly chilled from a whisper of winter still hanging around outside, and fighting an annoying urge to feel sorry for yourself.

If you’re lucky enough to live in the sweetest city in the world, you might, then, digitally wander over to the Blue Moon Emporium and order yourself the world’s softest, coolest sweatshirt (the one you gave nearly everyone on your Christmas list.)

If you did that, even you might be surprised to be wearing your new sweatshirt just a few hours later and telling anyone who will listen how much it feels like a big ole hug.

Once in a blue moon that might happen. But it can. I know because it happened to me.

I told myself I was making a purchase because I wanted to support local businesses (which I do). But, I also just really love that sweatshirt and I was kind of grouchy and needed a pick-me-up. So, on Monday I ordered it online and that alone was enough to cheer me up. Imagine how thrilled I was to see our young friend Sam pull up to our house later that afternoon to hand deliver (from a safe social distance) my sweatshirt.

As I’ve written about before, my friend Cathy runs this amazing little shop (kind of like the Rose Apothecary only not as stuffy and with even cooler stuff). It’s a walk-in-and-browse kind of place that celebrates local artists and the places we all love. You want to pop your head in and linger any time you walk past.

Any store or restaurant that thrives on foot traffic has been particularly hit hard by the Safer at Home orders and it has been interesting and inspiring to see how many have adjusted. A lot of them will emerge stronger than ever when this pandemic clears. But, for right now, they need some help.

So, I’m more than happy to support local businesses and restaurants as best I can by buying gift cards, ordering their items online and encouraging them on social media. Once a week, we’re ordering take out from a local restaurant because we want to support them and, let’s be honest, because we like their food. So far, we’ve had great meals from Antojitos, Mark’s Eastside, Apollon, Ricos and Basil’s Cafe. We’re looking forward to trying other places as well and we’re open to suggestions.

I’m also trying to shop locally when I can and, when I find something really special, I like to spread the word.

Like this soft and cuddly sweatshirt and the very talented entrepreneur who created it.

Ahhhhh!