Leave the kitchen the way you found it

With the youngest boy having moved back in, we’ve had some straight talk about expectations and mutual respect

Louis, the adult son, has returned home – so some mutual expectations needed to be discussed.

Not one for passive-aggressive communications or avoiding delicate topics, Sue puts it right out there as we are seated around the kitchen island having our coffees, reading the news, and playing online Scrabble.

“2 am snacks must be discreet – that means no microwave, no ice (crushed or cubed) and no forks rattling around pickle jars.”

I chime in: “If we’re in bed and it makes more noise than a bag of marshmallows – forget it.”

Louis says nothing. He maintains a pensive look as he internalizes the message.

“And when you’re done prepping your snack, be sure to leave the kitchen the way you found it,” adds Sue.

Louis sips his coffee. “Of course,” he says. “That’s a straightforward principle – mutual respect.”

The boy’s malleability has me suspicious.

“That was too easy,” I whisper to Sue. “I feel like he may have set a trap.”

Louis smiles, sips his latte, and scrolls through the newsfeed on his phone. He comes across a story and pipes up: “Jeff Bezos, the owner of Amazon, is the world’s first 200 billion dollar man.”

“That’s a whole lotta’ kindles and deliveries,” I say.

“You know that we have a moral obligation to support local businesses and organizations – now more than ever,” replies Louis.

Brace yourselves, winter is coming…

The kid’s got a point. In the past several months, small businesses have been through a pandemic wringer. As we continue to fight the virus heading into the fall and the Christmas shopping season, we stand before a moment of truth.

“The temptation in this time of distancing and crowd-avoidance to move our purchases online to Amazon or to big box stores for the holiday season will be strong. We’ve got to fight the urge and think of the families and organizations that depend on local businesses,” says the boy.

“It’s true,” Sue adds. “You won’t often find Amazon, Costco or Wal-Mart emblazoned on the back of a hockey sweater or on the website of the local swim club.”

“Restaurants and local retailers need our support this coming season more than ever. When the temperatures drop, we won’t be so comfortable sitting on patios. We have to find ways to be there for them – take-out, gift cards... And the holiday shopping season is make or break for these businesses,” she says.

Louis turns to face me. “I remember the opening of the new Costco in Orillia made you giddy. Visions of free samples of Chinese dumplings and pastry-wrapped weenies danced in your head,” he says.

“Guilty as charged,” I reply. “And I’ve since learned that Costco is a place to witness the worst of humanity. The horror begins with the ruthless battle for any parking spot less than 300 metres from the entrance; continues inside with roller derby collisions as “members” cut each other off in a death spiral of cart rage; and reaches its climax at the exit, where nastiness meets absurdity and some red-vested wretch proofreads a 36-inch receipt and audits your overflowing cart with a nonchalant swipe of a Sharpie.”

“So, why would you do your Christmas shopping there or on Amazon?” asks the boy. “Take a look around - there are so many local business owners making a difference - and I hate to think what our communities will look like if we don’t support them,” Louis exclaims.

Again, the boy has a point.

A quick survey leaves me with the impression that the younger generation is taking the issue of our local economies to heart.

Dynamic leaders are operating delectable vegan restaurants, bicycle shops and Neapolitan-style pizza emporiums.

And there’s Maker’s Market – where you can discover the craftsmanship of dozens of local artists and artisans.

Risk-taking entrepreneurs like the ones at Mark IV Brothers or Lone Wolf Café deserve our support much more than Starbuck’s – and frankly, their blends are better too.

Big Box stores and Amazon might save us a few dollars this season – but in the end our communities will be much poorer for it.

“If we care about our local economies, we can’t leave them in a mess. We’ve got to fight the Amazon and big box temptation and spend our time and money supporting the courageous entrepreneurs of our communities,” Louis says. “And don’t worry about Jeff Bezos – we won’t have to have a bake sale for him.”

With that, the boy collects the dishes from the island, loads the dishwasher and cleans the countertops.

“Thanks, Louis,” says Sue.

“My pleasure,” he replies with a grin.

The boy heads downstairs and Sue looks at me.

“He did set a trap, didn’t he?” I say to her.

“Are we leaving the kitchen the way we found it?” Sue asks. “Are we leaving a healthy, flourishing community? A sustainable planet? An economy that allows everyone to earn a living wage commensurate with the sweat off their brow?”

“Mutual respect,” she says. “Whatever our intentions – as a generation - we’ve done a pretty crummy job of leaving the kitchen the way we found it. But it’s never too late to start doing the right thing.”

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