A Piggly Wiggly Angel, by J.C. Kavanagh

 

To purchase your copy (or all three!) of this award-winning series, click here:

https://www.bookswelove.com/shop/series/the-twisted-climb

Never-have-I-ever heard of 'Piggly Wiggly.' 

We were docked in Port Royal, South Carolina, on our months-long journey from Georgian Bay, Ontario, through the U.S., with the Bahamas as our final destination. Provisions in the fridge, freezer and dry locker were diminishing which meant it was time for a trip to the grocery store. Staff at the marina informed us that the Piggly Wiggly was our best bet.

My partner Ian laughed out loud. I followed suit.

The staff member appeared puzzled. "What's so funny?" he asked.

We laughed harder. 

The staff member was not amused. I curbed my laughter and said, "We're looking for a place that carries 'provisions' for our boat - not piggies."

That, of course, began another round of laughter.

The staff member finally smiled. "Now I get it," he stated. "You Canadians don't know what Piggly Wiggly is, do you?"

"Is it a piggy farm?" 

He raised one eyebrow and rolled his eyes as if to say, "those duh Canadians."

And never-would-I-ever have suspected that Piggly Wiggly was, in fact, a grocery store!

My curious mind had to know more information about Piggly Wiggly. Wikipedia was quite helpful in providing its history. 

Did you know that:

• Piggly Wiggly was the first "self-serve" grocery store, opening in 1916 in Tennessee. Before this time, customers would bring a grocery list to their preferred store and a clerk would collect the items. The concept of a "self-serve" grocery store changed the industry world-wide.
• Piggly Wiggly was also the first to introduce check-out counters (cashiers).
• when asked why the store was named Piggly Wiggly, the founder explained, "So people will ask that very question."
• Brand recognition surged with the hands-on approach, while competitive marketing strategies increased customer demand. Self-serve introduced and encouraged 'impulse buying.'
• By 1932, Piggly Wiggly's annual sales totalled $180 million from 2,660 stores.
• In 1935, the franchise was split and sold to a number of regional grocery chains.
• Also in 1935, 179 Piggly Wiggly stores across Canada were sold to Safeway, which, decades later, merged with Sobey's.
• There are 503 independently owned stores in 18 states, as of 2024.

The original Piggly Wiggly grocery store, circa 1918.
Customers entered through a turnstile and browsed through four aisles. 
Customers had a choice of 605 items!

So, you might ask, what's with the blog title, Piggly Wiggly Angel?

I'll tell you.

Ian and I were in the bread section of the South Carolina Piggly Wiggly and I came across a package of corn bread. I picked it up, curious. I've never eaten corn bread and I was surprised by the weight of these six pieces. Motioning to Ian, I said, "Let's try it!" He declined, saying that six pieces was 'too much' for just the two of us. The employee in the produce section, I'll call him Mr. Jones, overheard my comment and came over to offer his opinion. First of all, he welcomed us to the Piggly Wiggly and offered to help us find items on our grocery list. Secondly, he couldn't believe that we'd never eaten corn bread, and was just as surprised that we hadn't experienced the popular side dish of 'grits.' We told him we were sailors from Canada and explained that corn bread was something that wasn't offered in most grocery stores back home. At least, not where we live in central Ontario. He appeared rather sad with my explanation. We continued our conversation and shared that Ian's retirement enabled us to pursue our dream of sailing to the Bahamas. 

"Oh, how wonderful," he said softly. "I'll be 65 next year and my dream was to take my wife on a fishing trip."

"Well," I responded, "Next year then?"

He shook his head. "Not without her. She passed in February."

Oh oh oh - my eyes welled with tears and my body shivered with sadness. His emotion was palpable. I didn't know how to respond, other than the standard "I'm so very sorry for your loss."

He nodded and left us. I had to take a moment to collect my thoughts. Sometimes you have to hear someone's misfortune in order to appreciate your own circumstance.

Ian and I continued with our shopping, only to be stopped minutes later by 'Mr. Jones.' In his hand was a white grocery bag.

"You can't travel through South Carolina without eating our famous corn bread," he said, placing the bag in our cart. "Enjoy it. And each other."

That's why I call him the Piggly Wiggly Angel. Sometimes a random interaction will prompt a true introspection of your life. I am grateful for meeting Mr. Jones. 

In The Twisted Climb trilogy, an ephemeral character appears in the darkness, inviting the teens to ‘cross over’ to the dream world and the un-World. Is he an angel, or a ‘Protector’ for Jayden, Connor and Max? What say you?

Stay safe and as I always say at the end of my blog, don't forget to tell the ones you love that you love them :)

 

J.C. Kavanagh, author of
The Twisted Climb - A Bright Darkness (Book 3) Best YA Book FINALIST at Critters Readers Poll 2022
AND
The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2) voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada
AND
The Twisted Climb,
voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll
Voted Best Local Author, Simcoe County, Ontario, 2021
Novels for teens, young adults and adults young-at-heart
Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh

www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Instagram @authorjckavanagh

https://www.bookswelove.com/shop/series/the-twisted-climb