Whatta Sprout! And a vent!

So as I said, I'm posting a blog on my experience and the impression Sprouts (R) grocery store had on me.  I went to the one in Katy, not too far of an excursion outside of Houston, though all the construction made the trip a little tedious. It was hugely raved about by my classmates so I just had to try it.  It's supposed to be just like Whole Foods (R) except more affordable.  My first impression was that it had that vibe, so that was pleasant.  Soon enough though, I see that the 'afterbite' so to speak, is a little off!  The place was definitely a lot smaller than Whole Foods, the vibe was just really short-lived.  There are no big juicy apples or fruits like their competitor, I just felt at a loss.  Like the store was lacking substance, produce, groceries!  There was barely a meat department, just nothing to purchase.  It had a good variety in the holistic/natural foods section of the store that took up less than 1/4 of the store.  When I arrived there were plenty of cars in the parking lot so obviously this is the store of choice for some, just not for me.

Will I visit another Sprout's grocery store, probably not.  But I can tell you there is a marked difference between the locals in Houston and those in Katy.  I'd rather live in Katy if it weren't so far from school.  The people there are very kind and not intentionally rude, they demonstrate intelligence and sense that should be common to everyone, like where I come from, and there were no vagrants!  Houston could learn a lot from those in Katy, seriously!!  I was in Katy for a while, and not just at Sprouts, if it weren't for my family being here I would have become a commuter that day!  Another place where we experienced extraordinary kindness is Corpus Christie, Wichita Falls, Frisco all in TX.  I'm pretty sure there are a few decent Houstonians (those from here), that have decency and decorum but to hear even the locals say it, is fewer and further between than ever!  Houston is salvageable though, mainly in the suburbs and areas like the Woodlands, the Heights, um maybe River Oaks. So it's good here I guess, in certain areas.  Is it like that in all places?  Probably.  The story as it's told to me is like how the U.S. changed after WWI.  That's how Houston changed after Hurricane Katrina.  I remember in Colorado, apartment communities refused to open their doors to those displaced by the storm, and after seeing quality of the prospective clientele I understood why.  I remember that Houston refused at first.  I think they still feel opposed though the event has long passed.  But isn't that how our country was first built?  Peoples were expelled from their countries or removed themselves to come find out what the New World was about, the Land of Dreams, Opportunity!  They bought their traditions, foods to this country and enriched our life like a complex quilt made up of diversity, luck, and love.  So when those From Louisiana became Houstonians, etc they brought with them spicy foods, gumbo's and a way of life that either was or wasn't accepted.  Nobody accepted the Irish in this country for a long time but I have a grandmother who is half Irish and half Cherokee and that has enriched our family.  We just have to accept that given the circumstances change is necessary.  Not all change is good, but God has given us a silver lining to go with every cloud, and a rainbow to go with every rainy day.  We just have to be good stewards of his blessings, respect each other, follow the rules and leave Sodom & Gomorrah in the Old Testament.  In 2005 it seemed as everyone, even those in Louisiana said the area that was most affected by the hurricane was not worth salvaging!  The way I see it, God sent them a message, and gave them a second chance all at the same time.  Did they choose to change what made them what seemed to be America's eyesore?  I think the only ones who actually were eyesores back then, still are today.  And there are lots of decent Houstonians, it's just the bad ones makes it difficult to see the good.