I agree wholeheartedly with the old adages, “Shop Locally, Buy Locally” and “Support Your Neighbors”. Local products are fresher and (often) cost less. Helps keep the local business people (and farmers) in business. They and their employees in turn, spend locally. All true and good for me and you!
 I extend this to most things I buy, not that I help the local economy all that much. My meager budget doesn’t exert a lot of influence..., but I try to do my part.
 When I needed some remodeling done? It was a guy from Hawley. New roof, guy from Galilee, new furnace, guy from Honesdale, new vehicles (all) from local dealers. Tires, batteries, accessories, repairs, clothes, shoes, boots? Nearly all from local stores.
 Heck, I even buy my gas from locally owned companies. Leaving on a trip, I fill up before I leave town. I read newspaper(s), (three stools down), but the only one I “Buy”, is printed locally.
 When it comes to regular spending, like groceries (where it adds up) I’m no spendthrift. But I buy primarily from a couple locally owned stores.
 One little one that driving past, a newcomer might think was an just another (expensive) convenience store? Surprise! It’s priced competitively with the “big guy” food stores (And has great service!) They’ve also got the best meats, salads, locally grown produce (in season) along with other specialty items, like bread!
 Now here’s the rub. I love bread! Eat it with every meal. For me, if there’s no bread on the table, the meal isn’t complete.
 I’m not sure where this affinity for bread comes from? Might be it’s because my Grandma made fresh bread almost daily. My mother (and father) both made delicious home made bread. Even (my first) mother-in-law made great home made bread.
Late in his life, Dad would sometimes make fresh, hot bread to go with our supper. He and I agreed, hot home made bread with peanut butter, jelly or honey was all the dessert we needed!
 Then a few years back, a local family started making bread at their house, and distributing it to a few local stores. One being that little store on the highway, where they’d offer a few loaves every week. It was great bread! A little expensive at about $2.75 a loaf, I thought. But so good, I started buying it regularly.
 Good enough that as the price crept up, I kept buying it. Pretty quickly hitting $3.00 a loaf, I didn’t mind (much).
 At some point the bread company was sold. Prices went up some more. I didn’t complain, but I gently mentioned to the retailer (thinkin’ they might let the supplier know?) maybe it was growing a little on the expensive side for us “local” shoppers.
 Prices kept creeping up..., passing $4.00. Then a season or so back, flour costs nearly doubled and the price went up more! By then the store owners were holding a loaf behind the counter every week just for me. So I just grinned (grittin’ my teeth) and paid. (I mean costs were rising, right?).
 Time passed (not that much) an’ I kept enjoying that special loaf of what I called “Lumpy Bread” (it has a real name, but I can’t pronounce it).                           
 One week my loaf wasn’t held for me. But the bread company had opened a retail store, so I zipped down there. Felt guilty not getting it from my regular store, but figured oh well, it’s probably cheaper “at the factory” anyway. Plus next week I’ll be back at the little store!
 When I paid for it, it cost more (!) than at the store. Diggin’ deeper in my pocket for the extra change, I asked why? I was told “...oh, we don’t want to undercut our retailers...” I thought, ok..., umm..., maybe that makes sense? (not).
The price by then had topped $5.00, (Five-Dollars!) Grindin’ my teeth, I took it home. After all, bread is one of lifes little luxuries, for me.
 Stopping by the little store recently for “my” loaf of bread, Surprise! (not) price’s increased again! $5.75 a loaf (Five-Seventy-Five!).
 So I bought it (for the last time).
 I've asked them stop holding that weekly loaf of “Lumpy” bread for me. One of life’s little luxuries finally became too much of a luxury!
 Oh, I‘ll still be buying my “specialty” breads (and sweets)! From another local (in home) bakery, (where the cost of that little luxury is less luxurious).
 I Don’t Know About You..., I thought “Buying Locally” was a partnership between buyer AND seller. Apparently, not for my Daily Bread.
Cal Teeple, founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium can be found three stools down. Or At: wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com. He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at all three locations.