Lo Barato Cuesta.

“Cheap Costs You.”

“Lo barato cuesta.”

Mexican Folk Wisdom

Bargain hunting is endemic. And then we complain that the local store with excellent service and lots of variety is vanishing. That is the long term cost of being cheap. But there is also an immediate cost. To sell it cheaper somebody has to make it cheaper or service it cheaper or reduce the number of options. And whatever it is if you buy it because it was cheaper you are much more likely to be disappointed. I like the idea of reassuringly expensive.

Note there is an exception for seasonal products. There is a week or two in the spring when asparagus is ripe, delicious and cheap. Same for squash one week in June and sweet corn in July and August. But in general lo barato cuesta.

I found this in Gustavo Arrellano’s Weekly Canto definitely worth subscribing to.

More Serendipity

“Be on the lookout for serendipitous moments.” 

Obligations, commitments, fears and inertia all combine to make us miss the serendipity that surrounds us.
Backyard Scuba is a method to surreptitiously discover serendipity.

This display of liquor bottles is a joy to behold. It can be seen at The White Chocolate Grill in Scottsdale AZ.

Forks in the Road

There are many forks in the road of life. At every one, most people choose safety and possessions over risk and learning.”

The Nesselroth silverware from Germany is the best “fork” photo I could find.

Prosperity

“If you want a better future, trust markets, not bureaucrats.”

The Brittlebush are blooming in central Arizona. It is an annual two or three week phenomenon and it turns much of the desert yellow. Wonderful.

Creamation

“Cremation is my last hope for a smoking hot body”

A popular meme with many creators.

The photo was taken by my Great, Great Uncle J.C.Burrow at a church yard in Cornwall about 1900. I used it to demonstrate how the treatment of human remains has changed over time.

Serendipity

You can’t plan for serendipity

But you can leave space for it.

This is another of a continuing series of posts about serendipity.

Simon and Serendipity are alliterative and I should be able to make a nice motto out of them but the only one I’ve come up with so far is “Simon Seeks Serendipity.” Which doesn’t work because serendipity has to find you. The very seeking of a serendipitous moment makes it less serendipitous. It requires more work.

Meanwhile you can admire me holding the moon in my hand, Photo credit Mike C.

Thin Ice

“If we’re treading on thin ice then we might as well dance.”

Jesse Winchester

A recycling bin reflected in a puddle in Phoenix. Why ask why?

The Greatest Glory

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Nelson Mandela

Photo credit to Tom Burrow. Phoenix from a tall building is the sunset capital of the world during the winter.