Today was a gorgeous sunny day and it jump-started me into a stroll around the neighborhood where I made some fascinating discoveries.
First stop was my local 7-11 store on The Lakeshore just West of Kipling Ave. where I discovered prepaid Mastercards were available in denominations up to $100 and this Mastercard doesn’t seem to be skinning you alive with fees.
I don’t know what built in features and guarantees these cards have but they’re certainly handy for making purchases when our cards are maxed out or you don’t wish your purchase to be displayed on your regular statements.
Additionally …. Not all on-line merchants accept PayPal (Which in Canada; Can take 11 days to process). and these cards would be handy for purchases from these merchants.
NEXT STOP was at the elderly Chinese couple’s hardware store in the adjacent strip mall for a poke around. … These are a delightful couple! … Eager to serve and often a healthy dose of insightful philosophy.
No matter how old they get; Some people never lose their beauty – It gradually moves from their face into their heart.
I purchased a funnel for filling my water storage container. … I now have a silver thermal survival blanket, water, candles, battery powered radio, flashlights, baked beans and a bag of potatoes plus miscellaneous other necessary supplies. ….. Now; When the power goes off I’ll survive OK for a couple of days.
On to Optician, Gordon Prior’s Long Branch Optical. Another long serving South Etobicoke business. Optician Gordon has been serving Long Branch since 1972. He greets everybody with a huge smile and an outstretched hand and don’t even think of leaving his store without having your spectacles adjusted. It’s just not allowed. Long Branch Optical. 3349 Lakeshore Blvd. Tel: 416-255-0445. Just west of Tim Horton’s.
Since Majersky Jewelers was just across the street; I dropped in to say hello to Jarek and drool over his creations. Jarek is Master Jewelry Craftsman with an easy, infectious laugh and even though I’ve never spent a cent in his store; He always rolls out the red carpet and makes us feel like returning royalty without any phony subservience.
I’m glad to see that he finally has some classy chairs for husbands to park themselves on while wives are at the showcases investing hubby’s money.
Drop in and see Jarek’s stunning work and if he doesn’t have what you want …. Ask him to make it for you.
MAJERSKY JEWELLERS 3467 Lakeshore W. 416-255-8219 … (South side one and half blocks West of Tim Hortons).
Final stop was the dollar store next to Shopper’s Drug in New Toronto to pick up a green, accent light bulb for showcasing my silk Ficus tree. Since I’d made a few purchases from them that should have worked but tuned out to be junk and a waste of money ….. I asked if I could test the bulb and/or could return it, if it didn’t work. …. The owner told me there aren’t any guarantees and wouldn’t be any exchanges & suggested that if I doubted that it may not work … I shouldn’t buy it.
So there’s my afternoon stroll. …. I hoped you picked up a few ideas. … Drop in and see my friends and say hello!. I know they’ll be pleased to welcome you and you’ll be glad that you did.
I’m privileged to call these towns and villages in South Etobicoke (Mimico, New Toronto and Long Branch). my home. They are the brightest pearls in Toronto’s necklace!
Post your discoveries in the comments box below. I’ll be glad to publish them and give you full credit.

Bestest.
Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.
