Delayed Gratification - At Least I Hope It’s Only Delayed!

We have all paid a price for the pandemic, some have even paid the ultimate price. I am lucky so far. Nobody in my immediate family has contracted the virus though two were quarantined for two weeks because they were exposed to someone who was infected. We had one false positive. We all wear masks in public and limit our exposure. My wife Pennie is considered essential (by me too!) by the government. She works at Lowe’s. She is over 60 and has factors that would make her exempt but she feels it’s her duty to go to work to support her co-workers.

The pandemic has certainly affected my business. Sales are down 60% from last year. People have lost their jobs, income and are taking care of children that have nowhere else to go. They are also saving their money (a good thing, by the way) and paying down their credit card debt (another good thing) and putting off discretionary purchases. Weddings are being postponed, birthdays are celebrated virtually and there aren’t many housewarming parties these days.

The good news for me is that my product is not perishable. It will keep. A bigger inventory will ultimately give my customers more choices when they can spend money again for items like mine. In the meantime, I still have to pay for utilities, supplies and raw materials. Fortunately I have built up a huge inventory of raw materials over the years.

The funny thing is that I miss the validation of my work (a sale is the ultimate validation) more than the money that comes with it, For the most part I make what I like and hope you will like it too but sales do help me understand what customers want to buy.

In the meantime, I will socially distance, trot to the shop every morning and make something pretty. Please buy something if and when you can.

I just finished this one:

#202040 Spalted Gum Cheese/Charcuterie Board