Stasia's Place Of Grace

Saturday, August 10, 2002

 

Thankful To Live In An Ethnically-Diverse City

Okay, so, maybe the place where I live isn't all that ethnically-diverse. I mean, out here where I live, everybody is Caucasian, and most everybody is Lutheran. I'm definitely the only Buddhist on the block. But I'm grateful that we don't live all that far from Milwaukee, a city known for its ethnic festivals and ethnic neighborhoods!

Today we took a trip to our favorite market - A & J Polish Deli on 12th and Lincoln. This deli is authentic - whenever we go, neither the customers nor the staff are speaking in English. They are able to speak English with us, but just barely, and most of our ordering is done with a lot of pantomiming and smiling. The little, old Polish ladies, always arriving early on Saturdays, will shove you out of the way good-naturedly, as they would in "the old country," and then, their order safely placed after they've received a slice of meat to sample first, they'll turn and smile at you. They can afford to be friendly now that they've had first choice of the best cuts. You wait for them to reach out and pinch your cheek...

What, I ask you, is interesting about supermarkets with computerized checkouts, and bored employees who mumble, "Have a nice day," with no inflection, their glazed eyes already looking towards the next customer? It is so much more fun to go to a small shop where the owner works along with his wife and relatives; where they all look you in the eye and give you a genuine smile and a nod, even if they don't speak your language; where the prices are written in pencil on white butcher's paper; and where the food is as unique as the people. Sometimes it is good to step outside one's comfort zone - whether tasting a new food, or shopping in an ethnic neighborhood, or meeting someone from a different country - to broaden one's horizons.

Unfortunately, now that the folks at the Polish deli have become old friends, the only thing that's currently being broadened are my hips!

A&J Polish Deli
1215 W. Lincoln Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53215
414-643-7733
Gift certificates available - they have the BEST pierogies!

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The usual long lines on Saturday morning. Everyone is speaking in Polish or Russian. By afternoon, the sausages on the wall will all be sold.

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Yummy sausages, pork loin, ham.

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Strange delights like head cheese...

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The girls slice the meat while chocolate-covered gingerbread and other goodies tempt us from the countertop.

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What Else I Did Today

After the trip to the deli, I...

• Knit on the Lorna's Laces "Vera" socks (actually in the van on the way to the deli).
• Visited Jeff's grandfather and brought him some chocolate and sausage. We got him a cordless phone and an answering machine, as now he's in a wheelchair with a broken ankle and can't get to the phone quickly. He was happy and said it was, "...like Christmas!"
• Helped Jeff clip the dogs' coats and their toenails. The toenails look good, but their haircuts are truly awful. I'm hoping it'll all grow back by fall. They look so tiny without their curls and fuzz!
• Clipped my angora rabbit, Sophie. I was too tired to finish and Sophie was too crabby. Will do more in a couple of days.
• Ate zakuski - that's Russian for a kind of dinner that's made up of little appetizers - smoked sausage and gypsy ham, fresh tomatoes and a veggie salad, a sourdough baguette.
• Looked at my Gem. Too tired to spin. That's ok, I like looking at it.

I'm exhausted - this was a lot in one day for me and my body is complaining. So it's off to bed, with visions of making better knitting and spinning progress tomorrow, as Jeff is pushing for his Qiviut/Navajo-Churro/Bison Down hunting socks, the yarn for which has yet to be spun. I have finished the Regia socks but just need to weave in the ends... hope to have a photo for you tomorrow.

Good night!

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