New Store in Town.

Our latest shopping destination has officially opened its doors, and it's the perfect place to discover all kinds of stuff. 

Ninety-nine farmers from Rogue Valley, Oregon, each invested $10 to create a cooperative. They had no way of knowing that Grange Co-op would grow into a multi-million dollar business, providing services to customers in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

This store is similar to Tractor Supply but larger, offering everything for a sustainable farm and ranch lifestyle. You'll find supplies for beekeeping, feed, and tack for various animals, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, and poultry. There's also a pet section with quality food and supplies, plus a great selection of wild bird food to attract birds to your backyard.

The store offers unique gifts and holiday items for everyone, along with stylish patio furniture, barbecues, and outdoor games for outdoor enthusiasts. There's also a variety of clothing and footwear for the whole family, making it a convenient one-stop destination for farmers and ranchers.

They had some nice items - 

I liked these decorative bowls.

Unique Plants

Succulents 

This one is called a mint chocolate chip plant.

Manfreda undulata

Scratching post for cats -My cat, Susie, has a climbing post that resembles a vibrant 🌵 cactus, though it’s starting to show signs of wear and tear. She also has another post designed to look like a lush palm tree 🌴, providing her with plenty of opportunities to stretch and play, which is important for an indoor cat. 

This gray and white one is stunning!

But nope, she's perfectly happy with the three she already has. Still, there's something fun about browsing and seeing what is out there. 

After browsing, we went to Black Bear Diner for lunch. Nearby, a cute couple had a 9-month-old baby boy. After settling the bill, I decided to buy a playful bear bib for their little one. Without grandkids of our own, we enjoy spreading kindness to young parents. It’s nice to bring some joy, especially since acts of generosity feel rare these days.

About the Social Security Administration 

Next week, we're returning to Social Security. I have many questions. After the initial excitement, I began to reflect on the injustice of it all.

How did such a significant oversight occur, and what could have led to this situation? 

I anticipate evasive answers, but I have the right to ask questions. They shortchanged my husband for years, and then when they found the error, they continued to withhold his rightful payment until 2025. That feels criminal. I'm grateful he visited our congressman's office; they reacted with disbelief and advised us not to spend the money yet. We'll keep it in a separate savings account.

Honestly, this should make every person on Social Security pause and reconsider—are they really not taking advantage of you? It’s definitely something worth thinking about!

If this were a private entity, they’d be out of business. I just want to know: how can I trust that in a couple of years you won’t claim we’ve been overpaid and start deducting funds?

I want to confront them face-to-face. What right did they have to keep that from us? What if we had needed it? It's a racket.

Imagine the amount of money they could have saved if only they had gotten it right from the start! It’s frustrating to see such a lack of competence in our government from an agency that should be trusted. 

That's a wrap for me! Wishing you all a fantastic Saturday evening filled with fun and relaxation. Enjoy every moment, and here’s to an amazing Sunday ahead!

Debby