Life’s Small Discoveries

As a pretty strict lock-down here continues for the next few weeks, life is pretty simple – work, studying Greek, reading, walks, and a fair amount of cooking. It’s nice to be sharing meals again after so many solo quarantine ones.

Though it has taken some adjusting . . .

During my time at Food Export, I read many market research reports from our UK In-Market Representative who would often inform American food companies about the size of most UK refrigerators and freezers, and thus, that their U.S. package sizes would generally need to be downsized significantly. As we search for new digs, I’ve taken to noticing the size of the refrigerator/freezer in each apartment. Sometimes they can be just a bit bigger than a dorm room one (grounds for disqualification in my book), but mostly they are somewhere between that and a smaller U.S. one.

So that means more planning and more shopping . . .

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about Scotland is the good number of small neighborhood businesses that people seem to turn to for their daily needs – greengrocers, cheesemongers, butchers and fishmongers. The produce displays at the many greengrocers in the neighborhood adorn the streets with beauty and color; it’s a little gift to all passersby. I also found my trip to the fishmonger to be quite educational. When I asked about the availability of mackerel, he told me that they’re too far off shore right now to be profitable to catch (at least that’s what I think he said – understanding Glaswegian, especially through a mask, is still a skill in development). He recommended an alternative that was very fresh and delicious.

So even in a small life, I’m finding some ways to expand my horizons and take in beauty. I hope you are all doing the same. Be well.