The More Things Change

One of my favorite novels of all time I read while I was in high school, A Seperate Peace, by John Knowles. From this work comes one of my favorite quotes of all time " The more things change, the more things stay the same." I remember in high school, my group of girlfriends and I used to ponder this. We were, how do I say this, a little dramatic and considered ourselves artsy. When some students were disecting fetal pigs ( ewwww...) WE were disecting song lyrics and poetry by Rimbaugh. We were very deep, according to ourselves.
I went with my family last night to dinner at the New Hartford Shopping Center and this quote came to mind to me. Here I am, now 34 years old and that old shopping center has changed so much. The anchor stores I used to know are long since faded away, but there, among new unfamiliar stores, were some of my favorite old haunts. Thankfully it was after hours and closed, but there I stopped dead in my tracks in front of Fannie Farmer. I can remember Christmas shopping long ago with my parents and stopping in to pick one perfect chocolate from behind the glass to enjoy as a treat. There was Karaz shoes, again probally a good thing it was closed, home of the big talking bird and really great shoes ( mental note, GREAT sandals in their front window. They look my size). There was Accents of Ireland, Herb Phillipsons, and even Tracy's Hallmark. I haven't been to that shopping center since about 10 years ago. I was glad that with all that has changed in my life, and in the world, that some things are exactly as I remembered. I am looking forward to Christmas shopping there this year with my girls, and stopping in to Fannie Farmer for a chocolate covered lemon cream. You can keep Godiva and Lindt, I perfer things Fannie's way.