Diary 8
Thursday 26th March
Today we realized we had none of our favorite tea left (Trader Joe’s Irish Breakfast Tea, a total wake up game-changing morning drink) and that nothing else would do. We’d tried various other brands but, well, you know how it is. So I set off to TJ’s.
I drove past the local park where only a few days ago I’d taken the grandchildren, and a big illuminated sign told me the park was closed, and that the Police would take notice of anyone using it. I felt a pang of nostalgia for all the times I’d stood under the climbing frame, lifting them down when they got scared or stuck. It felt good to be able to do that; I know that now they don’t need me. Just a few weeks ago they were showing off their latest daring moves, fear a thing of the past.
At TJ’s the line of dutiful citizens, spaced 6 feet apart, was rather daunting. Luckily I was directed to the Seniors’ line; much shorter and rather jolly. Most folks of that vintage (ahem, my vintage) are getting to be a bit hard of hearing, and so we bantered cheerfully across the six foot divides at quite a high volume. I think the other folks rather enjoyed it. Finally, we said, we’re getting a benefit. We’re not invisible!
I was reminded of my late mother-in-law who, even at 95, refused to admit she was a senior. She’d rather have waited in the longer line, in the cold, than admit her true age. This occasionally made for problems at the liquor store.
Quick sprint around TJ’s and yes, there was plenty of toilet paper, and yes, there was no shortage of anything. Still, I did grab an extra packet of tea, just in case. It turns out that we can no longer use our own bags for fear of cross infections and so we must use the store’s paper bags. It took quite a while to get people into the habit of using their own bags, and now…. Oh well.
On the return trip I noticed that the local garage for cheap gas was open. Last week, $2.40 a gallon. Today $1.97. It would be tempting if I had somewhere to go, or any hope of having a pleasant time when I got there.
In the larger picture I made a promise to myself today to spend less time on-line. I’ve tended to get sucked in to just taking another look at…. It is consoling, I suppose, although it can raise one’s ire and panic when the topic is the news. I don’t need to feel upset as well as under house arrest.
