The other day, I bought a few small items and got unpleasantly surprised by the price I had to pay. It added to my gloomy mood I was in since the earthquake in Turkey last week.
The first item was a tiny pack of sewing needles.'These needles are made in Germany', said the saleslady. What happened to China, give me chinese needles - these are expensive, said I. She smiled; no chinese needles in her shop.
Next, I fancied a loaf of light, sliced wheat bread . Unlike standard bread, light bread (fewer calories) is not under price supervision, so it's subject to constant raise by the supplier- informed me the vendor. Got it.
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The third item was a bag with potatoes. In winter, I often eat boiled, mashed potatoes topped with cottage cheese, or some piquant topping like sardine in chilli sauce. I like the red potatoes grown in Turkey. Immediately after the eartkquake, here, at the grocery store they shamelessly raised the price of these potatoes , probably in expectation of shortage and/or difficulty with importing them .
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To cheer myself up, I turned to Pink Martini, no, not the drink but the music - something dramatic with a drop of fun. The drama in the youtube video was provided by an old, powerful song (Amado Mio - my lover), great voice, and stunning performance of the singer, Storm Large.
The drop of fun was provided by a short pianist ( the leader of the american, successful Pink Martini band) attracting attention with his over energetic piano playing, and a taller, standing trumpetist attracting attention with his long hair. The live audience added nice background to both , drama and fun.
After running the youtube video a few times, I felt better.
Local suppliers may have better prices. They do here anyway. Although I don't think anyone local makes knitting needles!
ReplyDeleteSewing, not knitting needles, and they are, indeed, not locally produced.
DeleteSadly, we have become a nation that mainly imports goods, even matches and candles.
I can see why this video put you in a good mood. It did the same for me. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like the video. I'm sure some find it a bit...too sexy, but yesterday it was Valentine Day featuring Love and Lover everywhere. So, what the heck!
DeleteI love Pink Martini. I hope they cheered you up -- I can see why there was much about not which to be cheery. If it helps, it's global, not just in your area!
ReplyDeleteWhat's not to like? They always cheer me up, and Storm Large is a very good singer and performer!
DeleteYes, we need cheering up on a global level.
A real pink martini sounds good haha
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I've never had one. I only know it's a cocktail made with gin (or vodka), and vermouth - garnished with an olive or a lemon twist.
DeleteI'm with Christine on this. My drink is the homemade margarita..but even limes are climbing in price and look so pathetic. I dunno what's happening. I generally make my drinks sparingly through the month..like my Friday afternoon drink(which usually takes one lime, but being so small it means two now days). We have had banana issues too. Sometimes, I wonder if they are even bananas. At one place we get them they never ripen. Talk about shopping around. Oh, and sad to hear about those sewing needles too. Here's to hoping we catch a break, but I have doubts. Thank goodness for music💕
ReplyDeleteThings are not what they should be. I'm afraid high prices are an indication of an upcoming shortage or even famine. The cause - climate disasters and war such as the one in Ukraine. May God help us!
DeleteSo true. Yes, we should be in constant prayer and hope that we can live on less. Especially, with these prices! BTW - I loved your comment at https://caitlinnmegan.blogspot.com/
Deletethat's a good one! I will confess I would love to know what's going on with my neighbors across the street. It seems a car is always parked in front of our place late at night...and the car never shuts off. I don't know how they can afford the gas. I would love to tap on the window and ask what they are doing, but maybe it's best I don't question them, either. Unfortunately, we don't know our neighbors like we used too. I guess that goes with the world too.
I've got neighbours that keep the lights on all night. They probably get discounts on electricity or perhaps, a complete exemption, who knows.
DeletePrices here keep rising too. It's frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that group, but wow does she have a great voice!
She has, doesn't she. The song and the accompanying band are also very good!
DeleteAs for price 'jumping', it's causing worry.
Pink Martini was a new band to me, but I liked what I heard in the video. I will have to search them out.
ReplyDeletePink Martini was founded in 1994 and they play all kinds of styles: classic, latin, jazz, pop. Their main vocalists are : Storm Large and China Forbes.
DeletePrice of groceries have gone up here too, somethings more so than others. Potatoes, we eat every night nearly as my husband doesn't care for rice or pasta.
ReplyDeleteI too prefer potatoes to rice and pasta. Potatoes are warm, soft and can be well combined with lots of other food items.
DeleteRe Turkey, I wonder if all the surrounding countries are sending crates of food to people who survived the earthquake but don't have a house any longer. Cooking might be difficult but the potatoes and sliced wheat bread look perfect. And apples.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, the survivors of the earthquake get lots of help regarding food and shelter. Turkey is not new to quakes, so there should be some knowledge there as to how to navigate the help that comes from the outside and from the unaffected parts of the country.
DeleteThat music would certainly brighten one’s day. I’d dance!
ReplyDeleteAgree. I sing with the singer, and then, during the day. It gives me much pleasure.
DeleteWow your post was so interesting. I watched Pink Martini for the first time - I had never heard of them before but it was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAlso you have limits on white bread but not wheat bread there?
And the potatoes are high - not surprised.
My heart breaks for these people.
I am thankful for what I have.
Thank you. The music band exists from 1994, and they are wonderful as a 'little orchestra'.
DeleteThe loaf displayed is light, white, wheat bread. It is the 'light' property (less calories) that makes it expensive.
I first heard of Pink Martini from a friend who lives in Oregon. Thanks for the music clip, Duta, it cheered me up as well.
ReplyDeleteThat's the idea. Music always cheers me up.
DeleteMusic has that magic...
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it has that magic to uplift the spirit, and make one feel good.
DeleteI have not heard of this group! Such fun!
ReplyDeleteWell, now you've heard. There's always a first time... It's a successful music band offering a pleasant musical and visual experience.
DeleteAh, music, what would we do without it...
ReplyDeleteWe couldn't do without it. Technically yes, but mentally and spiritually it would affect us in an undesirable way.
DeleteOh that earthquake is devastating. We had a horrible cycloon in the North Island which is horrible as well. The prices are up worlwide Don't know were this all has to end up. Luckily there still is music
ReplyDeleteI know about the cyclon and I remember the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch. New Zeeland had its share of tragedies. May God have mercy on its people and on us all!
DeleteWhat I thought was going to be a sad post about rising prices, turned into a wonderful musical surprise.
ReplyDeleteIt was,perhaps, but with Valentine's Day in the background, I felt I had to, somehow, introduce Love and Lover in the post.
DeleteHearing this group for the first time... Good one
ReplyDeleteNot new on the music scene - from 1994. And yes, they are good.
DeleteI do miss bread and potatoes. I don't eat either anymore.
ReplyDeleteBoa tarde e um ótimo sábado.
ReplyDeleteDita, o Brasil precisa de muitas coisas ainda. Obrigado pelo comentário.
https://viagenspelobrasilerio.blogspot.com
Luiz Gomes.
The needs of a country never end, just like the needs of its individuals.
DeleteWishing you a great, happy weekend, Luiz!
The prices of everything is going up everywhere, it appears.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I try not to buy anything that is made in China. I do my best to support local, Aussie-made where and when possible.
Thanks for sharing the video, DUTA...I've not heard of Pink Martini prior to this. Take care. :)
So it would seem. Hopefully, price 'jumping' is not an indication of some upcoming shortage of essentials.
DeleteAs for the video, you are welcome, Lee.
Great blog
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rajani Rehana
DeleteI did enjoy the video, it certainly makes you want to dance :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I'm glad you did. Yes, it sure does make you wish to sing and dance.
DeleteMusic has a wonderful way of lifting the spirits, and Pink Martini, a group I've never heard of, did just that!
ReplyDeleteHi, Lorrie. You're right about music, right about Pink Martini.
DeletePrices for almost everything is higher. I'm applauding your shop keeper who doesn't want to support China by carrying products from there. Had to laugh when you said you weren't referring to drinking a Pink Martini, because I immediately thought of a Cosmo, but was curious to see if something beyond that was a pink Martini.
ReplyDeleteI'm not happy with any kind of import from China, South Africa, or any other place - but that's how things are. Sadly, we have become a country based on import of goods.
ReplyDeleteLively music and beautiful voice. I enjoy seeing the pianist play the piano.
ReplyDeleteHe's cute, isn't he , the pianist. In the video he's young and energetic. I suppose now he's some 15 years older. I haven't checked dates.
DeleteIn today's world everything is disorder, no one thinks about others. Humanity has become selfish.
ReplyDeleteAquí, por desgracia está sucediendo lo mismo en cuanto a la subida de precios desde que empezó la guerra de Ucrania, y eso que como te dije en una ocasión España esta considerada como la huerta de Europa...así, que no nos queda otra que esperar a que esta cruel guerra que ha iniciado el descerebrado de Putin acabe pronto.
ReplyDeleteMe a encantado el vídeo de esa bonita canción a la que hace muchos años que no escuchaba, y que está muy bien interpretada por este grupo, y me gustaría añadir como profesor de música que soy, que esos movimientos de los brazos del pianista que parecen exagerados, es una técnica que utilizan muchos músicos profesionales para llevar a cabo los tiempos de silencio, y cuanto más largos sean estos, más se suelen levantar los brazos.
Un fuerte abrazo, amiga Duta, porque me ha encantado tu entrada y porque también me has alegrado la mañana con esta canción.
I'm glad you like the song; after all you are a music teacher and you have more understanding of the subject than us. It is indeed a good song , performed well by the singer and the accompanying band.
DeleteI have a ticket for Pink Martini in August at our outdoor amphitheater (Bend Oregon) .... looking forward to it. My third Pink Martini concert.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! They are good!
ReplyDelete