Thursday, August 18, 2011

Friday Flash 55.....




.

"Pops" owned the local hardware.
For years everyone loved shopping there.
A friendly smile from a young student wearing
a nail apron always walked you to your desired
item. From the worn hardwood floors, to the smell
of fertilizer, you felt welcomed. But lately,
"Pops" felt ignored!
GRAND OPENING.....The Home Depot!!!

.

Yep, sometimes people forget their old friends when
something new moves into town...
If you or anyone you know has written a Friday Flash 55
Please come tell The G-Man
I will visit, read, enjoy, comment....Then BOOK!!!
So from the most gracious host from coast to coast...
Have a Kick Ass Week-End!!!!

at

60 comments:

  1. moondustwriterAugust 18, 2011 at 8:00:00 PM EDT

    Thanks G-Man for the gr8 55 always !!!

    There's no place..."

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 8:00:00 PM EDT

    Well, ain't nobody gonna be forgetting YOU!!

    …and you were worried I wouldn’t make it by Friday? I duct-taped the internet back together and dialed in to the G-Man Channel just in time, it seems.
    Anarchist’s cookbook be damned, I’ve brewed up a recipe that’ll keep you outta the kitchen for as long as it takes. Curious? Come on over!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Monkey ManAugust 18, 2011 at 8:01:00 PM EDT

    I would rather shop with Mom and Pop. They know stuff!! Home Depot....they don't know left from right.

    HERE is my 55 for this week.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Steve IsaakAugust 18, 2011 at 8:01:00 PM EDT

    Timely, good write. =)
    Here's mine.

    ReplyDelete
  5. moondustwriterAugust 18, 2011 at 8:01:00 PM EDT

    Score!!! Yahtzee
    Can't believe I could beat Ti at anything

    I love the retro stores something missing these days

    thanks again G...

    ReplyDelete
  6. hedgewitchAugust 18, 2011 at 8:02:00 PM EDT

    I'm here to try to yahtzee my way into Brian's slot, as he is off frollicking on something he calls a 'date'--it sounds vaguely familiar but I've been married way too long to remember exactly how that goes.

    Anyway here is his offering for the Friday mayhem:

    Brian Miller's 55

    ReplyDelete
  7. hedgewitchAugust 18, 2011 at 8:04:00 PM EDT

    Obviously a dismal failure on the whole mah jong thing, but I am still playin.

    Here's mine, and no dictionary needed, I sincerely hope:

    Data Storage

    ReplyDelete
  8. hedgewitchAugust 18, 2011 at 8:06:00 PM EDT

    And you could never be forgotten--can I help it if my power goes out?? A generator you could buy me, then this stuff wouldn't happen. Not at Home Depot, though. They suck. ;_)

    ReplyDelete
  9. ScarletAugust 18, 2011 at 8:19:00 PM EDT

    How can we forget you...

    I am playing along:

    http://a-sweetlust.blogspot.com/2011/08/dry-mango.html

    Have a kick ass weekend ~

    ReplyDelete
  10. PattiKenAugust 18, 2011 at 8:27:00 PM EDT

    I miss some of the mom-and-pop stores, especially the book stores. Poignant 55, Galen.

    You thought you had to remind me, didn't you? Ha! I was ready to go with The American Dream.

    ReplyDelete
  11. MillieAugust 18, 2011 at 8:41:00 PM EDT

    I hate when the old are neglected. Maybe that's because I'm the oldest (and wisest and best) goat here. My human has a 55 here. http://razzamadazzle.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/seasons-change/

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 8:50:00 PM EDT

    Ah, Moon. I'll hafta tell you what I told Brian when he got all exuberant about a Yahtzee: sometimes I share first place with other people. It's the nice thing to do :)

    (I know. He didn't like my response, either.)

    For the record, lots of people beat me at lots of things. All the time. For real. *grins*

    ReplyDelete
  13. moondustwriterAugust 18, 2011 at 8:56:00 PM EDT

    Ti - I respect for your many talents
    you really do shine from the north

    ReplyDelete
  14. Brian MillerAugust 18, 2011 at 8:56:00 PM EDT

    Ti, love you, really...haha...i will let you be first next week...smiles.

    hey back from my hot date...thanks hedge for tagging me in...

    was just in a nice small town grocery today a little bigger than a gas station...all wood counters hard wood floors was really cool...my grandpa was a seed man and had an old store...

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 8:58:00 PM EDT

    Last summer I went back to Wisconsin, and was so glad to see the pops there still very much in business.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 8:58:00 PM EDT

    Oh, and Mine is up.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Elizabeth MuellerAugust 18, 2011 at 9:13:00 PM EDT

    It's so sad how people refuse to show any amiable customer service! They are like robots get it, get out. So sad... :(

    ♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
    Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
    YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  18. JannaAugust 18, 2011 at 9:36:00 PM EDT

    I've been to our little Jonesville hardware store many more times than I have ever set foot in a Home Depot.
    Of course, my two X chromosomes tend to make me avoid hardware stores at all costs anyway...

    Thanks for another Friday 55!
    Mine's here. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Maude LynnAugust 18, 2011 at 9:47:00 PM EDT

    I hate when that happens! Great 55, G-Man.

    ReplyDelete
  20. MijayamiAugust 18, 2011 at 10:05:00 PM EDT

    Sad to see the Mom & Pop shops go.

    My 55 is here

    ReplyDelete
  21. Doctor FTSEAugust 18, 2011 at 10:06:00 PM EDT

    I couldn't possibly tell you what happened to me in a Home Depot Store in only 55 words. So HERE is Something Completely Different,

    ReplyDelete
  22. TALONAugust 18, 2011 at 10:31:00 PM EDT

    Poor Pops :(

    The saddest thing is that all these new stores are so homogenous, all trying to be everything to everyone and failing.

    Awesome 55, Galen.

    My 55 is The Rising

    ReplyDelete
  23. CadAugust 18, 2011 at 11:09:00 PM EDT

    I'm an insomniac, I think! See HERE What a time to post!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Monica ManningAugust 18, 2011 at 11:09:00 PM EDT

    I grew up in a small town. It was impossible to go out Friday night and not have your parents hear about it on Sunday morning at church.

    Your photo brought back some fond memories. I hope it's alright that I used it for mine: Town Crier

    ReplyDelete
  25. Pheromone GirlAugust 18, 2011 at 11:50:00 PM EDT

    It's been a while, but I played. I miss my old, local hardware guy...

    55 memories

    ReplyDelete
  26. limeAugust 18, 2011 at 11:56:00 PM EDT

    so true. i do consciously try to support local business and generally prefer a mom & pop to a chain place. sadly so many have closed.

    it's late but i'm up here

    ReplyDelete
  27. OliviaAugust 19, 2011 at 12:57:00 AM EDT

    Indeed!!

    Sharp Edges

    Weekend Hugs xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  28. Enchanted OakAugust 19, 2011 at 1:27:00 AM EDT

    Truer words were never spoke. But the big box customer service often drives people back to their roots.

    Mine is here:
    Navel Gazing in the Extreme

    ReplyDelete
  29. KatherineAugust 19, 2011 at 1:38:00 AM EDT

    Sorry I've not been by in a while G-Man .. I love old shops! I've written a 55 this week. Hope you have an awesome weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. MorningAJAugust 19, 2011 at 1:57:00 AM EDT

    Always support your local small trader! Great 55.

    I'm up here

    ReplyDelete
  31. AkelamaluAugust 19, 2011 at 2:57:00 AM EDT

    Oh poor Pops.

    Mine's up.

    ReplyDelete
  32. gautami tripathyAugust 19, 2011 at 3:58:00 AM EDT

    Gimme good old shops any time!

    Here is mine:

    a mute question

    ReplyDelete
  33. LydiaAugust 19, 2011 at 5:02:00 AM EDT

    Poignant 55. I remember an old hardware store like the one in the photo here in the small town where I live. It was the mid-1980s but when I walked in onto the ancient wooden floor I felt like I was back in the 1880s. I'm glad I got to experience a store like that...

    two rooms

    ReplyDelete
  34. Belinda MunozAugust 19, 2011 at 6:06:00 AM EDT

    Oh, I know what you mean, G-Man! I guess the trick is bear the corporate label while still keeping the personal touches like customer service, friendly chit chat, trading baseball stories...great 55!

    Mine is here:
    http://thehalfwaypoint.net/2011/08/circle-of-life/

    ReplyDelete
  35. DrizelAugust 19, 2011 at 6:47:00 AM EDT

    Really kewl:)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Cazzie!!!August 19, 2011 at 7:52:00 AM EDT

    I love that picture, it says so much about how shops "used" to be, and how much things have changed.

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownAugust 19, 2011 at 9:23:00 AM EDT

    I feel the same way about the corner bookstore. I had nothing so I'm late. I can be found HERE

    ReplyDelete
  38. izzyAugust 19, 2011 at 9:26:00 AM EDT

    Now this fits right in with my little
    55 ! -all except the Home Depot-
    Bent Fork and its environs never, never
    had one of those. So I will come visit
    your hardware store but I have to say
    it is a long way to travel. Thanks and have a great week!
    http://izzy-conversing.blogspot.com/2011/08/flash-fiction-55-whoosh.html

    ReplyDelete
  39. DaydreamerAugust 19, 2011 at 9:38:00 AM EDT

    Back agin. Loved taking part in last weeks and reading everyone eles's too.
    It's true new superstores killed the samller 'family' stores stone dead and it is a great shame for the loss of that close kind of community service.
    Anyway here's my 55:
    The Greater Hope
    Thanks G-Man anddddd...you have yourself a kick-ass weekened..Love that expression ;)

    ReplyDelete
  40. hopeAugust 19, 2011 at 9:48:00 AM EDT

    Not only do we still have that kind of local hardware store (and about 30 miles from one of the "big" ones), the owner died last week at the age of 55 and the town all but shut down! Thanks for remembering the backbone of communities.

    Mine's up. Check the rest of you later!

    ReplyDelete
  41. author.nara.maloneAugust 19, 2011 at 9:54:00 AM EDT

    I'm back. Missed everyone last week. I'd much rather be here than where I was.

    We have a hardware store like this. The town is too small to interest the big guys. :)

    Mine is up: What He Wants

    ReplyDelete
  42. TammyAugust 19, 2011 at 10:27:00 AM EDT

    Mine is up!
    Happy Friday everyone!!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. DaydreamerAugust 19, 2011 at 12:00:00 PM EDT

    Thank you for your comment Mr G-Man, made me smile. :)
    Have a kick ass weekened yourself.
    Love that expression ~! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  44. LincAugust 19, 2011 at 12:49:00 PM EDT

    Two words: ACO Hardware!

    Here's mine: Procrastination

    ReplyDelete
  45. IsabelAugust 19, 2011 at 12:53:00 PM EDT

    happy firday :0) hope y'all like elephants here's mine -
    http://thesilenceoftheday.blogspot.com/2011/08/elephant-in-thetemple.html
    enjoy the weekend everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  46. PratibhaAugust 19, 2011 at 1:55:00 PM EDT

    I am such a sticker to old and tried .. Nice 55er !!

    My post : M

    ReplyDelete
  47. MargaretAugust 19, 2011 at 1:55:00 PM EDT

    Ah yes, the small town store. I often paid extra for that honor in Petoskey. I loved the service and friendliness. Unfortunately, the HomeDepots of this world often have better prices...

    I barely got mine out in time... but I persevered and didn't give up hope that I would find a few minutes between cleaning and errands. I can't wait for school to start (not really true :)

    Here's my 55

    ReplyDelete
  48. Jannie FunsterAugust 19, 2011 at 2:23:00 PM EDT

    Pops oh Pops -- Lowe's is here too.

    Whatever is this society coming to?

    "Progress" marches on, everything's plastic.

    Sorry Dear Pops to hear you got your ass kicked.

    LOVE toe old photo, Galen.

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  49. Cha ChaAugust 19, 2011 at 5:36:00 PM EDT

    Wow, G-Daddy.

    It's been a very...VERY long time since I've been here.

    But, take a guess at the first place I came to visit in Blogland. Yeppers....

    YOU.

    It may have been awhile, but I never forget. Blogger Depot ain't got nuthin' on the likes of you. Hell, you ARE blogger depot. Look at how you've spruced things up around here! My, my...hotness.

    Tomorrow is the first day of the semester and guess what shirt I'm wearing?

    Love you.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Maude LynnAugust 19, 2011 at 6:58:00 PM EDT

    I'm late, but I'm up! Mine's on my poetry blog.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Jannie FunsterAugust 19, 2011 at 7:23:00 PM EDT

    Is it still Friday??

    Methinks probably so.

    here you will find my 55

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  52. secret agent womanAugust 19, 2011 at 8:09:00 PM EDT

    Not everything changes for the better.

    ReplyDelete
  53. DonnettaAugust 19, 2011 at 10:09:00 PM EDT

    Oh, my. I have spent waaay too many hours at the Home Depot. I'm swearing off of it. haha Managed to get a 55er posted. Not feeling so well this evening. But better late than never! D

    ReplyDelete
  54. haiku love songsAugust 20, 2011 at 5:50:00 AM EDT

    another great 55, G. America lost itself to big corporations in the quest to save a dollar. so sad.

    i didn't make it by midnight ~ i couldn't get my post up until 2:15. even if you don't come by, i wanted you to know that my first post back is a 55. {smile}

    have a wild weekend, Galen! dani

    ReplyDelete
  55. haiku love songsAugust 20, 2011 at 5:52:00 AM EDT

    oops! forgot to leave the link {it's late} ~

    http://haikulovesongs.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/whispers-from-home/

    thanks, G-Man!
    dani

    ReplyDelete
  56. moondustwriterAugust 20, 2011 at 1:35:00 PM EDT

    55 comments - kismet
    ;-p

    ReplyDelete
  57. G-ManAugust 20, 2011 at 7:23:00 PM EDT

    MDW!!!!!!
    It was Kismet now it's just...
    56 Comments!!!
    57 Comments....hehehehe

    ReplyDelete
  58. Maxwell Mead Williams Robinson BarryAugust 20, 2011 at 8:58:00 PM EDT

    a change is indeed makes a difference,

    powerful ending,

    Thanks for sharing.

    I am late, which is great because I can see the whole picture,

    here is My 55

    ReplyDelete
  59. Maxwell Mead Williams Robinson BarryAugust 20, 2011 at 8:59:00 PM EDT

    typo,

    a change in size does indeed make a world difference, to the store, i mean.

    well done 55.

    Thanks for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  60. The Thirteenth CrossingAugust 20, 2011 at 10:59:00 PM EDT

    Better late than never right? I sold my soul for computer access. I'm up.

    ReplyDelete