Here's more proof.
You know you live in the middle of nowhere when...
a busy Saturday afternoon at the local hardware store looks like this.
Welcome to the bustling metropolis of Mountainair, New Mexico. Don't be fooled into thinking the Greyhound bus stops here or that you can cash a check at the local bank - those two storefronts are movie sets. Seriously. Check out "My One and Only" starring Renee Zellweger, coming soon to a theater near you. Much of the movie was filmed around here. But Mountainair doesn't have a movie theater, so I'll just wait for the video release.
Meantime, I can cruise the aisles of the hardware store for entertainment. All the area ranchers post their brands here, which is kind of neat. If a stray cow shows up at my gate, I can note the brand, then go to the hardware store to see who owns it.
And if I'm ever in the mood to go on a big game safari, all I have to do is go to the checkout counter.
All I can figure is the owner likes to hunt and his wife won't let him hang his "trophies" at home, so he mounts them in the store instead. Have you ever seen a zebra with such a kind eye? These two guys just break my heart.
I suppose you could say a few of the displays are a public service. Like the live rattlesnake in the aquarium who rattles like heck whenever you get close, or the stuffed bobcat in the front window. Once you get a look at them, you can go home and be on the lookout for their relatives. I still prefer to do my research on the internet.
To its credit, the hardware store does stock most everything a rancher-woman might need in a DIY crisis, and the staff are very knowledgeable. But Smooch doesn't like going to this one-blinking-light town any more than I do, and we're always happy when the errands are done and it's time to head for home.
That's my world this week. To sneak a peek at places around the globe, check out the links on the My World Tuesday home page.
In my small town, which is a business here/there along the road, not a string of buildings such as yours, we have Jones Hardware, which is an old, dusty store, with creaky wooden floors, that handles about anything, and is run by friendly, knowledgeable folks, but no "trophies", or live snakes, thank goodness.
ReplyDeletePoor Smooch ... she looks kind of anxious.
Hi! A neat store.. although kinda scarey with all those eyes watching U :) I hear ya Blink! wouldn't want to wear out your welcome in that place.
ReplyDeleteLuv the photos and your bloggie!
toodles,
tula
Thanks for the tour. Good thing you and Smooch left town when you did, traffic looked like it was about to get heavy.
ReplyDeleteI can see that zebra at your place hanging out with George and Alan...
ReplyDeletePoor guy.
Interesting view of the middle of nowhere :)
ReplyDeleteThat zebra does break my heart, it's as if he is saying "why"
I wonder why, do you think they actually ate the meat? Hunting to survive or for the health and balance of an ecosystem is one thing, hunting just to kill something is seriously messed up. I will choose to imagine they did make good use of what they hunted and these animals death served a purpose.
So, is that the owner's first husband on the wall, next to the zebra?
ReplyDeleteLove your new layout!! BIG photos are wonderful ;~)
ReplyDeleteOk...I've caught up on all your posts and absolutely had to read how you left your old life...congrats!
wow! what a great tour. thanks for posting.
ReplyDeletewow, I bet you were tired of the crowds...lol...loved the tour
ReplyDeleteThat felt a bit melancholy this morning...maybe it's just me.
ReplyDeleteWho's the guy next to the Zebra? A warning to others who don't pay their bill?
I'm not a big fan of trophy hunting. Not a fan at all, actually.
interesting little town...as for the stuffed critter...hmmm
ReplyDeletethe live rattle snake, ughhh
thanks for sharing your world with us today.
have a great week.
This is a fun post. I would prefer the internet, too!
ReplyDeleteHands down, you live in the coolest lil town. LOVE the live rattler, I'm going to put one on our porch I think :) (not kidding)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to tell our feedstore about that brand thing too, that's a fine idea!!! Very handy!!!
You're just too cool.
OMG, Bruce will love this hardware store! He dreams about opening one in Corona some day with all the extra money he has sitting around (yeah, right). But really, I think he just wants to be a proprietor of something and help people fix things. Wait a minute. If he is doing that he isn't fixing things at OUR place. Nix that idea pronto!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Your life is like a fantasy for me, when I step outside and get bombarded with sounds of traffic, sirens, car horns, helicopters etc, etc. I imagine your world with Smooch - are we even on the same planet??? :)
ReplyDeleteNeat post. Our former home town of Bishop, California is a bit bigger but the Greyhound doesn't stop there anymore, either. In small towns, it you don't have a car you are now stuck.
ReplyDeletePretty neat hardware store. You can keep the snake though, personally I think it should be stuffed too.
ReplyDeleteWow you are right! You do live out there! I like the brands on the wall. Cool idea.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the movie. Thanks for the "heads up". Do you know a local cowboy artist by the name of Grem Lee?? When I lived in the Las Cruces area I met him up around Reserve, NM, before he moved to your fair town! Thanks for your wonderful post. I also like your new format! Belton Belle (now a Texas but missing being an New Mexican!!)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a hardware store quite like that! I love the wall of brands, how cool (and practical) is that? Thanks for sharing a bit of your world with us!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I hate shopping, when we travel , we like to check out the local harware stores. So often you find an item you desperately need...LOL...like the wire straines we brought back to Australia from Enosburg Falls Vermont, or the galvanised bin from a country town called Nhill, that came in handy to rat proof the grain for the choocks.
ReplyDeleteYour tore looks like a lot of fun, a cross between a saddlery and Noah's Ark.
Belton Belle - Grem Lee used to live two ranches over. His parents are still there, but I understand he's moved back to Reserve. I never had the pleasure of meeting him.
ReplyDeleteYour readers mentioned Reserve, NM? I have family in both Reserve and in Luna!! I'm related to Jewell Derrick who may or may not by this time own Uncle Buffalo Bill's bar and tavern; and also to the Laney's and Derrick's in Luna. Are you far from there or a stones throw as the crow flies?? Teresa
ReplyDeleteMe again; the Buffalo head in the picture needs to be vacuumed terribly!! The rattlesnake he can keep and the Zebra looks like he's waiting for a moment to kick the stuffing out of the hunter!! I'll have to visit sometime when I'm down there next summer hopefully? Need to see my relatives before they forget my name. Whats my name again?
ReplyDelete