It isn't "home" without Trader Joe's!

[yosemite]

If you are on the East or West Coast, you may not have heard of it - Trader Joe's. ( http://www.traderjoes.com .) It's this great grocery/health food store, they are a chain of stores. They have the best cookes, breads, candies (especially chocolates, sauces, frozen dinners, coffees, wines, and many other foods. They also have soaps, vitamins, etc. etc.) Well, I don't drink wine and rarely coffee, but I'll take others' word for that. They are really great for vegetarians...lots of unique food, gourmet foods. Sigh. And cheap. Everything so cheap. It's this wonderful, unique place.

I grew up with Trader Joe's, and then I recently moved to the Midwest. No Trader Joe's. This is bad. Very bad. I grumble a lot about the Midwest because of it. I visit my hometown of L.A. about twice a year, and I started buying LOTS of Trader Joe's goodies while back home, and packing it in my luggage. After a while, I just decided that I could not take it anymore - I was sick of my bleak, Trader Joe-less life. So I bought even MORE Trader Joe's stuff, and mailed it back to myself in several boxes. And, when that supply runs out, I have several friends and relatives who will mail me out a fresh supply. I've got a plan, man...I've got a plan.... I intend to keep myself in Trader Joe's products all year 'round.

So - the point to this topic? I dunno. An "Ode to Trader Joe's". Just had to share. If you live in an area where it is, pat yourself on the back. You don't know how lucky you are. Appreciate it a little more than you do right now. Think of me the next time you go. And, if you have some special favorite Trader Joe's product, let me know...I may want to try it out, and put it on my "shopping list" for the next time I stock up.

If you don't know what Trader Joe's is, you are kind of lucky in a way...you don't know what you are missing. You're better off not knowing - it's painful to realize what you don't have - I know. And, maybe some day Trader Joe's will come to the middle of the country. They moved to the East Coast relatively recently...(started out only on West Coast.) Hope springs eternal.

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Polydactyl Cats Unlimited
"A Cat Cannot Have Too Many Toes"