In thinking about what to use for this challenge, I thought about Windows, and what they mean. A window is an expanse of glass, normally clear glass, designed so the people inside a building can see out, and let the light of the Sun in. It occurred to me to consider the big glass windows and doors on retail and commercial buildings. Stores at street level often have large windows, with displays of merchandise that they hope will lure shoppers into the establishment. Some store windows don’t show merchandise, but other things that the merchant hopes will delight customers.

This glass display window doesn’t show the merchandise for sale, but since it is a clothing store, it’s a bit of history-this is what used to make clothing when mass-production was just in its infancy, and many people sewed their own clothes. There were so many different brands!

Now, just think about that glass. It seems to me that glass windows and doors don’t just represent a way of letting outside customers see the merchandise, and keeping the weather out. Glass windows and doors signify Trust. How is that? The building owners, and merchants, trust that the civilized customers and passers-by will just look through the window. They trust that their windows will remain intact, to keep the weather out and let the sunshine in.

These days, some of that Trust has been lost. In many large cities, including Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Seattle, there are increasing incidences of smash-and-grab robberies, where gangs of thieves smash the windows, enter the store, and steal immense quantities of merchandise in minutes. Many of these thieves are never caught, and continue to smash windows and run away with the merchant’s livelihood. Even parked cars are now at risk of smashed glass and theft of items in the cars, sometimes in broad daylight.

Just another way of thinking about all those expanses of beautiful, clear glass. Speaking of clear glass, last week my husband and I made a trip to the pet store, so he could buy more fish for his little aquarium. Here, the glass is designed to keep the fish in! And customers can watch the fish swimming around, and try to choose which ones to buy.

These are Tetras, which come in a huge variety of sizes and colors.

And what do you think these are called? Glass Sharks! Yep, that’s what they are called, so you can see into the aquarium, and inside the fish themselves. Compared to the cost of a Tetra (about $3), those Glass Sharks are very expensive.

Shopping at Uwajimaya, the local Asian grocery store, is always fascinating. Last month, they again featured their display of intricate Japanese dolls. The display is surrounded by a velvet rope, so viewers can’t get too close, but you don’t really have to get that close to see how beautiful they are. all hand-made.

Also at Uwajimaya, they have displays of it seems like hundreds of different kinds of Sake. These are only a few!

Window shopping in Leavenworth is always fun. They are Washington’s Bavarian Village, and a specialty is nutcrackers.

Happy Window Shopping, everyone!

Here’s the Link to the Original Post.