Kitty at the store? Its just like people ^3^

^^ ♥

I like! I like the moods and I like the light!

And it can be modern... or *RETRO* !

Perfect! That's just what I was striving for.

You may find this strange, but this really does remind me of a couple of small neighborhood grocery stores I have been to in the Twin Cities. Small, with a little bit of everything, but not really 'convenience stores' as we think of them. A couple times to stores in the 70s, but one was/is still operating in a part of St. Paul near a studio I once shared. The owners were two brothers who have to be in their very late 80s or early 90s (and over the last 2 years I only saw one brother in the store). Durst Bros. Market, I believe, in South Saint Anthony Park neighborhood.

It's the light. The walls were off-white plaster with windows & door on the east. The lighting was minimal (to save electricity, I'm sure) and nearly just natural light while the sun was up. On a partly cloudy day the afternoon light was the same as in your picture. They also usually kept signs off the plaster walls (or very small), maybe so they wouldn't have to repaint as often. And they also had large checkerboard tiles on the floor. I actually remember them as tiles rather than linoleum squares -- but I might be mis-remembering.

That's really awesome ^^! Wowie.. I'm pleased that you enjoy it and that it sparks memories for you! I wish that reply on my journal had gotten to you though. All the same I'm glad you like :3

Do you still live in that area? I've been hearing good things about it.

Yes, I still live in the Twin Cities, but am not around that neighborhood that often anymore.

If you have questions, I may be able to answer them here, or on FA notes, or email. There are other locals on FA who may have more specific info.

oh ... i was just wondering if you like it there... cool people and such? does it get butt ass cold?

Yes, I like it here. I may not be experienced enough to make comparisons with other big cities.

Cartooner version:

There are about 4 million people in the urban area, but it is relatively low-density in housing in the cities. Big suburban sprawl that is a metro island in a huge area of farmland and very small towns. The nearest comparable metro areas are Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Seattle. On a map, you can see this metro area is off in a corner. This was a central gathering area for natural resources & agriculture, with a lot of white collar jobs (transportation & distribution). It's a center for culture and non-conformists for this region. The residential streets have trees. There are many small theaters & packs of actors. There are about 6 sf & fantasy cons, small to large, plus other pop-culture conventions.

It does get cold. It freezes all the outdoor mosquitoes & cockroaches. There can be blizzards. You push stranger's cars out of a snowpile, because you might need help too, in the next storm. You learn how to dress for the weather. The weather can kill you... if you don't pay attention & don't think ahead.

There are 4 seasons. 1 April, we are in the middle of the Thaw, & trees will bud in a couple of weeks. It won't really be green until 1 May. It will be hot & humid upper 80s (or more) in the Summer. The Southern gentry came up in the riverboats in the 1850s to vacation in the Summer -- because once a week a thunderstorm squall-line comes through from the West and cools the air down to drier 70s. Autumn cools down in mid-September. Fall is done with a Hard freeze just before Halloween. First big Snowstorm by Thanksgiving. Christmas can be White or Brown. Coldest in late January, with 18 inches of ice on the city lakes. March is the gloomy white & brown of glacier debris melting and Cabin Fever.

"A Prairie Home Companion" is correct, in a symbolic way. Al Franken is Twin Cities; Norm Coleman is Twin Cities.

Well liking it is good. The only 'big' city I've ever enjoyed was Chicago, but I've only visited. Hate Detroit, Hate New York... but I'm also not much of a city girl..

Heh... yeah, I used to live in Michigan, so I understand northern weather.

When I first saw that drawing, it reminds me of many things, which made it hard for me to comment on. For instance, it makes me think of a small store (the word I want to say is boulangerie, but I do not know how to translate it) with a bit of warmth and personality. Second, it makes me think of a label of a product you would find in the organic market here in hickyville. Third, a painting belonging to a cozy house.

I do not make sense today.

those are all good things to feel towards this picture... they're probably all true ^^

you make plenty sense. except that hickville's don't have organic markets... they have teeny tiny little areas for organic products, but only in big stores... at least the hickville i know! haha.

This one where I live (GNV) has a university, so they have a bit more non-redneckness that you would expect of a city of this size and shape and smell. So, there is Mother Earth, which is a bit of a poser, and Wards, which is local owned and is proud to have local produce whenever possible. They do buy their pita bread from Falafel King, who bakes it. Hmmm... I need to get more tabouli from them.

This is a hickville that does not seem to decide what it wants to be.

i do not know where GNV is... sorry... ooohhhh pita bread... i have not had pita in a long time! mmmm

i can't even explain where i live... i think we're still in the 80's here...