Windows to the World

This Isn't Walmart!
Posted by: Ylee, 7:15 AM GMT on October 06, 2012 +4
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Today's Western society is largely consumer driven; people want things, lots of things, and they want it as cheap as possible. Malls, supermarkets, discount chains, and even online retailers, have made shopping mostly efficient and relatively inexpensive, due to sheer economics of scale.

But it didn't used to be that way. Folks who now collect Social Security used to remember a simpler time, when family owned businesses were the norm. Giant corporations squeezed out the vast majority of these mom-and-pop operations, and we are all poorer for it. You could take a short drive or even walk to the local grocer or bookstore, and odds were the owner knew your name, knew what you liked, and threw in a little extra something, just because they appreciated your business. Nowadays, more often than not, you'll run into someone making minimum wage, that has no stake in the business, and couldn't care less if you never came back. Others(me included) make a few clicks and wait for the truck to show up a few days later.

But even now, there still are exceptions. For example, even though most family owned bookstores have gone the way of the dodo, there's still a few out there making a go of it. The one in Maine who owns the cam featured in this blog has gone through the trouble to put their web address on a roof in full cam view! Of course, in China, neighborhood markets are the norm, as well as in Europe, where the city squares still attract vendors with carts selling their wares.



From the Maine Coast Book Shop, the Camerascotta cam!
Click for Damariscotta, Maine Forecast



Thanks to Hi-Fi Do, , the Osu shop cam!
Click for Nagoya Airport, Japan Forecast




From Campi Ya Kanzi, the Live From the Savana cam!
Click for Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Forecast




From Quart-A-Nancy Point, Ltd., the Cooper Island cam!
Click for Beef Island, British Virgin Islands Forecast




Thanks to yangshuoren.com, the Cafe China cam!
Click for Guilin, Guangxi Forecast




From Milos, Greece, the Pollonia cam!
Click for Milos, Greece Forecast




Courtesy of TroyLeslie, the feeder cam!
Click for Dallas, North Carolina Forecast




Courtesy on New Zealands' Horizons Regional Council, the Akitio cam!
Click for Palmerston North, New Zealand Forecast




From Stadt Bensheim,, the market square cam!
Click for Coleman, Germany Forecast




Thanks to UCLA's Department of Physics & Astronomy, the Mount Wilson Observatory cam!
Click for Mount Wilson, California Forecast




From Northwoods Canoe Company, the canoeshopcam!
Click for Atkinson, Maine Forecast
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51. plapman 10:26 AM GMT on October 09, 2012    
good morning YLee.
The medal project is turning out to be a bigger project than I expected but soon I'll have it complete and post a photo on the blog.
I guess you were posting on my blog as I was on yours.
Member Since: August 18, 2006 Posts: 2305 Comments: 7021
52. Ylee 11:41 AM GMT on October 09, 2012    
Hi, Tony! I guess we were doing blog pong, lol!

I didn't realize the China cam lit up like that at night!

The HiFi shop is closed for the night!

Time to go home! Be back in 24 hours!
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
53. janetlee 1:09 PM GMT on October 09, 2012    
Like the new canoe cam, should be interesting to watch.
Noticed they have rearranged the furniture is the HiFi shop and lots of people strolling the China street this morning (evening).

We have cooled a bit but not as much as over your way. We are to hit 40's later into the week.

see ya tomorrow..
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54. RobDaHood 2:39 PM GMT on October 09, 2012    
The BVI cam probably uses the closest weather info which may well be St. Thomas.

Like the canoe shop cam. They have a nice web site too. Haven't watched it yet, but there is a link there to web cam and that page has a link to a daily time lapse.
Member Since: September 2, 2008 Posts: 80 Comments: 26391
55. calpoppy 10:00 PM GMT on October 09, 2012    
I got to hit these blogs at the right time, no zebras, no customers in the hi-fi store, but beautiful sunset on the BVI cam!!

I remember when my parents got a Hi-Fi, it was a big deal.

The canoe shop was a neat addition!
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56. whitewabit (Mod) 10:29 PM GMT on October 09, 2012    
Zebra's last night and now deer today .. First time I've seen any animals ..
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57. plapman 12:03 PM GMT on October 10, 2012    
Good morning YLee.
It looks like we're getting brief reprieve from the cool northern flow of air. The weekend temps are going to be near 60F on the weekend.
Have a good evening.
Member Since: August 18, 2006 Posts: 2305 Comments: 7021
58. janetlee 1:42 PM GMT on October 10, 2012    
I wonder if we're going to see some Octoberfest in Germany. Looks as if they are getting ready for something to happen in the square. Should be interesting.
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59. RobDaHood 2:17 PM GMT on October 10, 2012    
Quoting janetlee:
I wonder if we're going to see some Octoberfest in Germany. Looks as if they are getting ready for something to happen in the square. Should be interesting.

Was wondering about that myself.
Trucks full of scaffolding.
A stage maybe.
Member Since: September 2, 2008 Posts: 80 Comments: 26391
60. Ylee 3:11 PM GMT on October 10, 2012    
Good morning! A cloudy and cool start to the day; supposed only to make 60 for a high, then around freezing for a low tonight!

Cams are looking well; yesterday morning before I went home, I put the canoe cam in the lineup. I wanted to put it in in the beginning, but that would break my self-imposed limit of 10 cams on the blog, so I originally left it out. I reconsidered after a day or two, because it fits the mom and pop shop theme so well!

There appears to be a fire on the savannah! I hope it's just a small one!

The canoe cam changes views from time to time, and it's neat to see all the canoes in various stages of finish!

Mt. Wilson is shrouded in fog this morning!

Good morning, Janet! I would imagine 40s is plenty cool for you this time of year! Octoberfest at the Bensheim cam would be cool! Maybe they'll have an "Oompah oompah" band on the stage! :)

Hi, Rob! Ther's some serious craftmanship going on at Northwoods Canoe! I wish I had half their skillset!(And tools, lol!)

Hi, Cal! I love that stereo system they have in the center of the shop! It has a teak? finish, very 1969! :)

Glad you got to see some critters, Wab! Hopefully we'll see some migrating herds on the Kanzi cam in the next couple of months!

Good morning, Tony! Good to see the eskimos turned their fans off! :)

Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
61. Ylee 3:25 PM GMT on October 10, 2012    
The canoe builder has canine supervision! :)

Big rain clouds over the savannah; must be the beginning of rainy season!

Awesome sunset in Milos!

Scaffolding truck has moved on; maybe no Octoberfest this weekend, after all! :(

Cams are showing a lot today!
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
62. GardenGrrl 4:51 PM GMT on October 10, 2012    
Canoe Shop is a great addition. Rules, shmules, if it's a great cam, fits the theme, pile 'em on.
Member Since: March 25, 2007 Posts: 220 Comments: 7361
63. Ylee 9:44 PM GMT on October 10, 2012    
Nice morning at Akitio!

GG, I think Roxie would like the canoe cam; I think I saw a golden retriever in there!
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64. Ylee 11:57 PM GMT on October 10, 2012    
Time to go home! Be back tomorrow!
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
65. Alleyoops 10:02 AM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Good morning you old rascal. Been up since 4:30, fed the livestock and now sitting down to WU and a cup of coffee. Pretty quiet this time of the morning, not much going on. Suppose to be a decent day here with temps in the 60s. Looking forward to the little warmup.

See a few zebra at the watering hole but nothing much else of interest going on. Will check out the "canal" cam on your previous blog to see if there is anything starting up there. Sure will be nice to see daybreak in an hour and a half. Use to hate going to work in the dark but thank goodness those days are now long past.

Anyway, have a great day and try not to work too hard. HUGS
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66. plapman 12:40 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Good evening Ylee.
Hope you had a good sleep.
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67. Ylee 2:35 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Good morning! Had a light freeze, as standing water hat a light skim of ice on top! Supposed to warm up a bit later, as we have a chance of rain and Tstorms tonight!

Cams are looking well; canoe cam shows the business end of canoe making, showing a tablesaw, bandsaw, router, and more chisels and whatnot than you can shake a stick at!

Old? Moi? That's saying something, especially coming from a retiree, Alley! LOL! The rascal part I can handle; all I can say about that is that it takes one to know one! :) Hugs back!


Slept pretty good, Tony, even went to be a little early last night! Wasn't bright eyed and bushy tailed though, at least not until I went outside in the cold! :)

Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
68. toddluck 3:02 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
mornin sir
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69. Ylee 3:40 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Mornin' Todd!
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70. ycd0108 5:07 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Mornin' Ylee:
Some Pigeon action on the Bookstore Cam and a pretty nice tool setup on the Canoe. I have smaller copies of most of the tools shown there but the floor of my shop is a mine field of boxes and random leftovers: Wood projects stalled; electrical and plumbing bits to be needed someday; dust and metal filings and whatever I should have thrown out years ago.
Off I go to take Jupiter back home and shoe horn the water supply.
Member Since: January 1, 2008 Posts: 146 Comments: 3487
71. janetlee 6:15 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
You can keep your freezing temps on that side of the mountains! Winter is not a season look forward to, I think the bears have the right idea on that.

I, like Ally, enjoy checking out the ditch to see if I catch anything interesting sliding through.

Member Since: March 14, 2006 Posts: 46 Comments: 1406
72. Ylee 6:19 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Most of the stuff that I have, in for what passes for a workshop, is either fodder for a landfill or recycling! :) I can build simple things, just don't ask for anything with a Roman ogee! :)
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73. Alleyoops 8:13 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Raggmunk....not only good for breakfast but can be great for any meal of the day....yum yum
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74. BriarCraft 9:13 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
I've got shop envy with that canoe shop. They're closed for the day now, but I'll have to pop back when they're working. I love to watch folks make sawdust almost as much as I love to make sawdust.

My planer shoots directly into a Rubbermaid trash can and my table saw and router table just dump piles of sawdust on the floor. Since I put cat doors into all buildings to give my kitties bolt-holes in case of dog or coyote emergency, I need to remember to sweep up after using the table saw. Otherwise, some snoopy furperson will think it's a convenient kitty-litter pile.

I saw over at JanetLee's that you had a bit of ice this morning. Guess that'll be the end of any warm-weather crops in your garden now.
Member Since: June 21, 2004 Posts: 50 Comments: 2512
75. sp34n119w 9:14 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Over the last few days (nights), I finally saw the China cam in daylight. It looks a nice place to be and not at all like Blade Runner when the shops are open :)
Really enjoying the Cooper Island cam. Mt Wilson might give morning people a sight of snow tomorrow (before it melts) (if the clouds clear out). Saw zebras, finally, and a warthog, I think. Also, a man in the record shop. The Maine main street looks like a fun place to spend a day. I, too, noticed the German venders setting up despite the weather. The tools at the canoe cam have me drooling, lol. Good selection, Ylee!

Walmart is about to open a new store in Ventura, right by my Trader Joe's. I'm bummed. There used to be a Kmart there and since it's been closed (years, now) parking has been much easier at TJ's. That will change! I guess I'd be happy if I shopped at Walmart, but, I don't. Ah, well.

Hope you are enjoying the Autumn weather, Ylee, frost and all :)
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76. Ylee 9:27 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Raggmunk makes me think of that old Ames Bros. song(Rag Mop) every time I see it! :)

Canoe cam isn't updating!
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
77. Ylee 10:17 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Briar, you have a planer, a table saw, and a router? Heck, I'm envious of your shop, lol!

Cats are sneaky like that, aren't they? Like finding a half-eaten mouse on the living room carpet! :P


SP, I'm glad they didn't shoot an interstate through my front yard(a la
Pink Houses). Fortunately, local, state, and the fed pols at the time thought it unecessary to link Ky.s' largest city(Louisville) with the 4th largest(Owensboro) via a limited access highway. Actually, to this day, there still isn't! :)
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78. Ylee 11:49 PM GMT on October 11, 2012    
Workers are cleaning the streets on the Cafe China cam!

Time to go home! Be back in 24!
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
79. plapman 11:32 AM GMT on October 12, 2012    
Good morning YLee.
I'm looking for a way to use a streaming webcam for my desktop. It would be strange to watch people walking across the screen.
Enjoy the day.
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80. GardenGrrl 3:50 PM GMT on October 12, 2012    
Was just starting to type when I heard a strange grunting sound behind me. I guess Roxie has reached the age when they start snoring.
Thought the savanna cam was adding sound.
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81. BriarCraft 10:07 PM GMT on October 12, 2012    
Several months ago, you shared the webcam for Silver Creek Falls in Oregon. Well, I saved the link for that, as it's one of my favorite places. I went back to take a look at it after 3 months of no rain; it's hardly recognizable. Good news is it has started to rain.

Silver Creek Falls, October 12


What's with all that pretty green NW of Lewisport on your weather map? The loop looks like the action is headed away from you. Did you get wet a little while ago?
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82. SBKaren 12:28 AM GMT on October 13, 2012    
Love the cams! I'm surprised by the Mt. Wilson cam, it looks like it is in clouds! We're clear and blue skies here near the shore, but today was an unstable day. My daughter and I were out running errands and hit a light shower, and clouds have been skirting across the sky all day long and it's cool out! But more heat this weekend!

We actually awoke to lightning, thunder and a bit of rain on Thursday....it was fun!
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83. Ylee 2:38 AM GMT on October 13, 2012    
Good evening! Quite a bit warmer than the past couple of nights, with temps still in the 50s! Might get some rain this weekend; we'll see!

Cams look OK; Canoe cam shut down early again, it seems!

Tony, the only way I can figure that you can do this is have a streaming cam running on a browser, and shrink the browser window so only the cam is showing! Of course, your icons on the screen would be covered up!

GG, I guess Roxie was channeling her inner warthog! :)

Very nice capture of Silver Creek Falls, Briar! Nice fall colors! I've always intended to bring that one back someday, but I kept finding new cams that were too cool to pass up!

Karen, if I'm not mistaken, your neck of the woods doesn't get much thunder, so I guess it was a treat to see some!
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84. Ylee 4:45 AM GMT on October 13, 2012    
Woohoo! Cards win! Happy flight! :D
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85. ycd0108 5:23 AM GMT on October 13, 2012    
I was convinced I had put some comment up here.
I'm still confident that it was REALLY GOOD but who knows?
Looking at the wall on the Canoeshopcam and trying to imagine what they use all those jigs for.
I built one small boat and renovated some others but that workshop looks like a dream come true -'specially when the dog is minding the store.
Jupiter is out on the porch (barking now and then) and Roxy is ensconced on the couch (also barking but a much higher pitch) tonight.
Tloml and Grand Daughter just arrived home from a live play.
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86. Ylee 9:25 AM GMT on October 13, 2012    
The German market is busy today!

YCD, I also posted a reply to your earlier comment, and it met an unknown demise!

I've done some simple bookcases and stuff, but nothing as intricate as a canoe!
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
87. janetlee 11:18 AM GMT on October 13, 2012    
Good Morning, your VI cam could get interesting in the next few days with Rafael out there.
Its a bit cool here again this morning, when I went out to feed the kitty it was 44*.
Today is our MumFest downtown. I'm going to try to get an early visit to the farmers market before the crowds start forming there.
Have a good one...
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88. Ylee 11:53 AM GMT on October 13, 2012    
Hi, Janet! Have a good time at the Mumfest!

Time to go home! Be back tonight!
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
89. Alleyoops 2:19 PM GMT on October 13, 2012    
Good morning Ylee, just stopping in to see how you are doing as I fly by on my broom. Just taking it out for a test drive since I had some bristles repaired and the seat widened ..... ROFLMBO

Time to get some work done around here. Felt lazy this morning and stayed in bed longer than I should have. Oh well. Retirement allows that.

Have a great day dear one. Catch you later.
Member Since: April 18, 2007 Posts: 187 Comments: 29188
90. palmettobug53 3:16 PM GMT on October 13, 2012    
All the cams are quiet at the moment, except the Cafe China. That one is hopping!

Cool and sunny here today. Got clothes going in the wash. It's a good day to peg them out on the line.
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91. BriarCraft 7:39 PM GMT on October 13, 2012    
Mt. Wilson is looking crystal clear and scenic.

I'm enjoying our first rain in 3 months -- no feeling like I should be out tending to flower beds or watering something. I've got about 30 pounds of Fuji apples left to make into applesauce tomorrow. After that, I can start clearing the cobwebs out of my woodshop. It's been too long since I've made any sawdust.
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92. ycd0108 11:05 PM GMT on October 13, 2012    
Right Ylee: The Canoeshopcam is still showing the switchgear on the table saw all torn apart. The electrician left his hat there.
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93. janetlee 11:53 PM GMT on October 13, 2012    
didn't go to the Mumfest after all :/

there a couple riding A bicycle on the streets of China. all the shops are still closed, they are either getting an early start or had a very late night.
Notice there are not many boats at anchor in St. Thomas, wondering if they are seeking safer harbor.
Don't work too hard & stay safe
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94. Alleyoops 2:24 AM GMT on October 14, 2012    
Just dropping by before I go to bed and do some reading. Nothing much on TV, same old crap, just different titles...LOL

Been raining here off and on for the last couple of hours and with temps going up to around 70F tomorrow, it should prove to be an interesting night.

Have a great shift and will try to drop in around 4:30-5 AM to see how ya doing.
Member Since: April 18, 2007 Posts: 187 Comments: 29188
95. Ylee 2:33 AM GMT on October 14, 2012    
Good evening! This will probably be my last night this week, as OT has gotten a little thin! Might not be back until Thursday!

We've had a warm day today: I think it almost hit 80! Supposd to cloud up tonight, and get some Tstorms tomorrow, the SPC giving is a 15% chance of severe weather!

Feeder cam has stopped updating, 1:05 PM local! Maybe a squirrel chewed through a cable or something! :) Canoe cam will likely be inoperative until Monday!

Alley, it wouldn't be good to have broom failure at altitude! :) 10AM isn't too bad; a lot of younger people sleep in until noon or later before they get their lazy hind end out of bed, and they don't even have a night job!

Bug, I hope you get your wash dried without rain or wasps! :)

Briar, good luck on the applesauce! Are Fujis a tart apple, like Granny Smiths? Enjoy the rain!

ycd, I didn't notice the electrical box open on the table saw! My guess the shop owner is the electrician in this case!

Hi, Janet! You're probably right about the boats at Cooper Island taking refuge! Rafael may be cruising past there at some point!

As for working too hard, It's taken me over two hours to finish this post! Had some extra chores to take care of!
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
96. SBKaren 2:36 AM GMT on October 14, 2012    
Ylee-you are right, we rarely get thunder and lightning, so it's a real novelty when we get it.
We're heating back up tomorrow, so our short stint with fall is heading out the back door, and summer is returning. I'm just hoping that at least we'll cool down in the evenings. I like nice weather, but I don't like hot!! I'm not too picky .... Am I ?? LOL
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97. Ylee 2:53 AM GMT on October 14, 2012    
I hear ya Alley, there isn't much worth watching on TV any more, just regurgitated pablum! :P A rainy night's good for sleeping, if you ask me!

Karen, you're not being picky, you're just tired of a long, hot summer like the rest of us! :)
Member Since: February 3, 2011 Posts: 67 Comments: 11538
98. Alleyoops 3:11 AM GMT on October 14, 2012    
Found this, thought you might like it. A Welland Canal webcam


Some cool links at this site...Link
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99. Ylee 5:52 AM GMT on October 14, 2012    
The USACE site is showing up a blank white screen for some reason, Alley! :(
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100. Ylee 5:56 AM GMT on October 14, 2012    
I believe Hi-Fi Do has a sale! Everything has a yellow sticker on it!
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101. Alleyoops 9:08 AM GMT on October 14, 2012    
Now why would that not surprise me Ylee, that the UScam site is not working properly. I will remove it and see if I can find something else. What a bummer. Still have not been to bed yet. Been reading a new book I started at 10 PM and have it over half finished.

Just put food out for my kitties and had to scare one black and white furry beast away twice now from the dish...I don't mind kitties but Skunks I will not feed. I hope this last time will be it and the stinky old thing is gone for tonite. Sure put the fear in it but it still did not spray....so far so good...LOL

Not bad enough to have a skunk to contend with but old possum decided to show up to...He got a spray of household cleaning fluid in his face. I don't think he will come back for a long while. Just waiting for that skunk to show up again and it will get a spray of the cleaning fluid too. May end up blinding them but it will discourage them from coming around....


anyway, have a great end to your shift. Catch ya on the flip flop whenever that may be. Hugs
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