An Explanation of REI

I was asked by Judy, aka the Birdlady, about the REI store and the dividend I mentioned in yesterday's post.

REI, established in 1938, is a company based in Oregon that carries outdoor gear, clothing, sporting gear such as for bicycling, climbing, etc.  It is a cooperative, so if you buy a $20 lifetime membership and provide your membership # when purchasing anything at their stores or online, then at the end of the year (usually in March) you get a dividend of approximately 2% of the past year's purchases.  Last year I spent more than usual and my dividend this year was about $105.  You can shop there for the same price anyone else pays without being a "member".  All the staff are experienced in outdoors sports and activities, and they will take all the time you need to help you find what you want, are fitted properly, as in the case of boots, backpacks, etc.  Some of their merchandise is priced fairly high but it is all high quality, and in the case of clothing, for example, the manufacturer no doubt initiates the price.  Sales at REI are incredibly good but deals are snapped up quickly.

If you love the outdoors and outdoor sports you would love visiting an REI store.  They also have "events" each month, some costing a small fee and other free, and cover such things as compass and orienteering, rock climbing, and skills you need for various outdoor activities.

When I went into the store yesterday I noticed a black canvas bag sitting atop a waste receptacle just before the front door.  It was still there when I left, and I agonized over whether I should just go on or to report it to someone inside the store.  Eventually my conscience made me walk back in and tell the cashier who had just helped me.  We walked out together and she looked inside the bag, and found it was filthy.  Evidently it had contained someone's lunch or food supply and had been left to sit in a car for a while.  

So I left relieved it was only a dirty black canvas bag and didn't contain a bomb.  The outside of the bag was clean and in good condition which is why I couldn't imagine anyone throwing it away.

My son-in-law, Donald, is having knee surgery tomorrow, after injuring it in a basketball game a few months back.  It is going to be a long recuperation, but I hope for a speedy recovery.  He will have to wear a brace for several weeks, which I think would be the worst part of it, but then I've never had knee surgery.  Jeannie doesn't really like to cook and Donald is a superb cook, so it will be interesting to see how that goes.

I'm looking out at the hummingbird feeder hung from the front porch awning, and a small bird just landed on it, though he's much larger than a hummer.  He looked at the liquid inside the feeder and pecked at it a couple of times, but I guess his beak is too large to get any of the nectar.  Poor thing.

I have to go to Costco this afternoon for a couple of Rx refills, and it's always difficult for me to get out of that store without spending a lot of money.