Another great read. Your table settings are absolutely beautiful. And, the picture of your downtown makes me want to be there with you in that little cafe. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Love & hugs, Trish & Bob xxxooo
Sending you and Bob Thanksgiving wishes too! I always remember your stories about Bob’s Turducken at this time of year. And one of the things I’m grateful for this year is that you guys came and visited us this summer! Next time you visit, we’ll go to our little downtown!
I loved your writing here. I’d love to chuck it all and quit the amazon cult. With no close art supply stores and Michael’s has junk I am resorting to amazon.
For thanksgiving one of my favorite is pumpkin bread. It’s an oldie and no nuts. I try and make it every year. My family says my stuffing mix is good but that’s because of lots of veggies and butter.
Have you tried ordering from Blick Art Materials for art supplies? We love pumpkin bread but I don’t make it for Thanksgiving. I use @deb perelman recipe-it’s delicious & uses the whole can of pumpkin so you don’t have a small random amount leftover.
Thank you! It’s been in my head to write this for a long time so I suppose there’s something to be said for letting ideas percolate before writing them.
There is life after Amazon. I also got rid of my WaPo subscription when Bezos started messing with the editorial page in 2024. And I’ve saved money not buying things. I really don’t need. It has been a little bit more work because I like to order my dog food and beauty supplies online, but I order from Chewys or Petsmart or the manufacturer and if the order is large enough shipping is free. So yes, Laura, we are not making a dent in Bezos riches, YET, but I did look and his profits are down this year. I also boycott other big donors to politics that don’t support We the People!
Laura this is an inspiring piece of writing, which manages to combine activism with the pleasure of living a "simpler," i.e. less technological, life. I love it. Joining you in boycotting Amazon.
Great article. LOVE your table settings. We started boycotting Amazon a few years ago and have never looked back. I did have to replace my Kindle, but other than that, no purchases or anything, and we're good with it. Best wishes in your lower tech/higher touch journey.
I kicked my Amazon addiction at the beginning of the year too, it is sad that so many others are so uninformed, I still see amazon trucks delivering everyday. Bezos deserves to be taken down.
I did nearly the same thing starting in January! I was great the whole year and about 50% successful this year holiday season, which is a huge win over previous half-hearted attempts, and i know with better planning, I can be even better next year.
Stopped using Amazon a while ago, and have had some similar experiences, but never really realized the dancing animal piece. But it always happens. Just today I learned the clerk in the bookstore grew up in the town next to where I did. We ( and the book store) about 60 miles away from there. I could have ordered what I bought online. So glad I did not.
Haven’t bought anything from Amazon for over a year. All the Christmas presents we bought this year were from small local businesses. We are strongly considering boycotting television stations that are owned by supporters of tRump. Press needs to have freedom to follow truthful information.
What a great essay! I’m a big reader but also a big book buyer, so one year I challenged myself to read only what I already had on my shelves. It was an interesting experiment for sure. I loved reading about how you got back out in the shopping world without Amazon.
Another great read. Your table settings are absolutely beautiful. And, the picture of your downtown makes me want to be there with you in that little cafe. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Love & hugs, Trish & Bob xxxooo
Sending you and Bob Thanksgiving wishes too! I always remember your stories about Bob’s Turducken at this time of year. And one of the things I’m grateful for this year is that you guys came and visited us this summer! Next time you visit, we’ll go to our little downtown!
This will be my first Christmas without the Amazon Crutch.
I stopped using Amazon in February in protest as well.
We also switched from Kindles to Kobos and use the library app more.
We have also bought less things for the same reasons you mentioned.
You aren't alone.
Boycotts matter.
They make a difference.
I wrote more about my boycott here: https://dinahbeingme.substack.com/p/my-canadian-resistance
I have a Kobo too! It makes borrowing ebooks from the library so easy!
It really does. Everyone in our family has one now.
I have done the same. It hasn't hurt my life at all.
I loved your writing here. I’d love to chuck it all and quit the amazon cult. With no close art supply stores and Michael’s has junk I am resorting to amazon.
For thanksgiving one of my favorite is pumpkin bread. It’s an oldie and no nuts. I try and make it every year. My family says my stuffing mix is good but that’s because of lots of veggies and butter.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all.
Have you tried ordering from Blick Art Materials for art supplies? We love pumpkin bread but I don’t make it for Thanksgiving. I use @deb perelman recipe-it’s delicious & uses the whole can of pumpkin so you don’t have a small random amount leftover.
This was a really, really good post, Laura. You captured so much in such an evocative way! Good job!
Thank you! It’s been in my head to write this for a long time so I suppose there’s something to be said for letting ideas percolate before writing them.
There is life after Amazon. I also got rid of my WaPo subscription when Bezos started messing with the editorial page in 2024. And I’ve saved money not buying things. I really don’t need. It has been a little bit more work because I like to order my dog food and beauty supplies online, but I order from Chewys or Petsmart or the manufacturer and if the order is large enough shipping is free. So yes, Laura, we are not making a dent in Bezos riches, YET, but I did look and his profits are down this year. I also boycott other big donors to politics that don’t support We the People!
Laura this is an inspiring piece of writing, which manages to combine activism with the pleasure of living a "simpler," i.e. less technological, life. I love it. Joining you in boycotting Amazon.
Thank you! I think activism is, at its heart, based on our collective desire for everyone to live a simpler & easier life.
What a great post. I haven't cut the cord but I am inspired to be a bit more intentional with my shopping.
I think every little bit helps.
No longer using Amazon to buy things might be small but feels good. If say, three million of us stop buying from it the difference will show.
Great article. LOVE your table settings. We started boycotting Amazon a few years ago and have never looked back. I did have to replace my Kindle, but other than that, no purchases or anything, and we're good with it. Best wishes in your lower tech/higher touch journey.
I kicked my Amazon addiction at the beginning of the year too, it is sad that so many others are so uninformed, I still see amazon trucks delivering everyday. Bezos deserves to be taken down.
I did nearly the same thing starting in January! I was great the whole year and about 50% successful this year holiday season, which is a huge win over previous half-hearted attempts, and i know with better planning, I can be even better next year.
Left Amazon too! Libby app for books is also great. I don’t miss the box breakdown at all!
Stopped using Amazon a while ago, and have had some similar experiences, but never really realized the dancing animal piece. But it always happens. Just today I learned the clerk in the bookstore grew up in the town next to where I did. We ( and the book store) about 60 miles away from there. I could have ordered what I bought online. So glad I did not.
Haven’t bought anything from Amazon for over a year. All the Christmas presents we bought this year were from small local businesses. We are strongly considering boycotting television stations that are owned by supporters of tRump. Press needs to have freedom to follow truthful information.
support local and women-owned and LGBTQIA-owned businesses.
What a great essay! I’m a big reader but also a big book buyer, so one year I challenged myself to read only what I already had on my shelves. It was an interesting experiment for sure. I loved reading about how you got back out in the shopping world without Amazon.