Not Quite Back to Normal…but Better than Before

Both vaccine shots in our arms equals less risk from Covid-19 and we are out and about more now.  However, given the millions of Americans that haven’t been vaccinated, caution is needed.  Vaccine hesitancy, resistance or fear is one issue but the Johnson and Johnson vaccine blood clot issue and related publicity has exacerbated the problem.  Of course, while it is possible for vaccinated folks to still be infected with the coronavirus, we at least have a much improved chance of avoiding hospitalization.

In any case, we’ve been getting out more, visiting with friends and neighbors and even eating in local restaurants.  Being able to get out and about more safely is certainly a positive feeling!

Local farmer’s markets in the area are beginning to open.  One of our first stops was a couple of weeks ago at the Mennonite Farmer’s Market in Tellico Plains Tennessee.  We actually have 3 of these markets in our area, with the other two being located near Englewood and Delano.  From the outside, they all look pretty much alike.  This conservative religious order seems to have a loyal and eager clientele at all their markets!

This plant building is right next to the market itself.  As you can see, it was loaded inside and  out with all types of starter plants for vegetables, herbs as well as flowers and some trees.  Laurie picked up replacements for her parsley and basil plants that didn’t make it through our winter. 

As I wandered through the main store, I spotted this horse and wagon tethered at the back of the store.  It’s like going back in time just seeing something like this.

The main store didn’t have too much to offer that early in the season.  Mostly root vegetables, jams, pickles, some early leaf lettuce, granola and several bakery items.  We picked up 2 bags of the granola (Laurie’s favorite) as well as a couple loaves of the sourdough bread. 

Before we left, I walked over to the edge of the hill where the market sits and took these two photos of the valley that this group of conservative Mennonites live and grow their crops.  The scene is very bucolic…and quite peaceful.

Early this past week we were off to a party, something that we haven’t done in more than a year!  A new resident had discovered that we had lived in Attleboro Massachusetts for a while…and she invited us to the couple’s 20^th anniversary party…a no gift rule was in force. 

As you can see above, the party was held outdoors in their driveway.  Guests brought their own chairs… It was the largest group of people that we’d seen or been around since early 2020!  One person was wearing a mask, probably due to not having his jabs yet.  Two other people attending said that they weren’t going to get the vaccine.  We stayed away from them! 

This was the happy couple.  JoAnn and Tex got married in Hawaii so that was the general theme of the get together.  JoAnn has discovered the joys of quilting since moving into the neighborhood.  They are a lively couple!  Tex is a former heavy metal rocker/guitarist.  When he hit a certain age, he told me that since he wasn’t a ‘Mick Jagger’, it was time to do something else with his life.  So he became a stockbroker.  He told me that 3 out of the 4 members of his band had taking up the same profession…  What are the odds!

Lei’s were furnished to all the party goers and the couple set up this long table loaded with a variety of tasty desserts.  My favorite was the Tres Leche cake from Costco but cheesecake, cookies, chocolate cake, a chocolate torte and much more was available.  It was a nice change after a year of self-isolation!

Looking ahead at a positive development in our area… We already have 2 ice cream parlors in our area.  One is located in Loudon and another is adjacent to Tellico Village but we will soon have a third option.  The La Michoacana Ice Cream Parlor will soon open in Lenoir City!

A little research revealed that La Michoacana is a group of different Mexican ice cream parlors with more than 8,000 locations in Mexico alone.  This loose ‘chain’ is a successful business model network of family-operated businesses. 

No single company operates them as a formal franchise operation.  Training and image related materials are provided through the ‘parent organization’, but the fact is that these stores are truly independent businesses that choose to use the name.  Consequently, the quality of the product, pricing and variety can vary widely between locations.  Hopefully, this outpost for the group will be a winner.  Another location can be found in Knoxville itself.  We’re looking forward to giving this one a try!

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave