We have been out walking most days, driving around on some days and actually made two trips during the week for provisions. Yes, we suit up in our face masks and gloves; although our masks are not necessarily COVID 19 resistant and more the allergy type, it makes us feel better. On Tuesday, we ventured to both Trader Joe’s and Aldi’s. Both enterprises advertised senior times early in the morning - most millennials and Gen-Z people sleep in until noon you know. However, neither establishment checked IDs nor did they necessarily provide any other amenity for old people. There seemed to be a number of young people shopping at the same time.
Old people are no kinder than any other age group when you place them behind the controls of a grocery cart. They do not know how to judge a distance of six feet nor do they understand that stopping to chat with some other cart driver clogs the aisles and makes the rest of us try and stop six feet away from them. The only thing both stores were good at was keeping people standing in line at the appropriate “social distance.” All employees were kind and polite, evidently happy to have a job. We appreciate their work and dedication.
On Thursday, we traveled to Costco for their 8:00 to 9:00 senior times. Again, there were a number of people who, to our eyes, were significantly younger, but maybe they were just well preserved Boomers and not Boomers’ kids or grandkids. Thoughtfully, Costco had a sign at the entry noting those items that were out-of-stock, saving searching and a lot of questioning of the staff. Otherwise, they were well stocked, but had employees handing out packages of toilet paper to control the supply.
We were in and out of the stores in record time, less than an hour for either outing. We also were able to gas up our vehicles in case we needed to make a run for the borders, although I hear Voltemort is sending troops to both the north and south border to keep us in (or was that to keep immigrants out?)
We continue to cook and not order take out from any local restaurants, not to say we won’t. Our baking projects continue, more cookies and baguettes.
This week also marked a virtual birthday party for our neighbor Iris who reached the ripe old age of three this week. However, we think she had somehow vaulted into the pre-teen years, given her occasional adoption of an “attitude.”
We read, have our cocktail hour and learn about the greater world with Judy Woodward and the PBS News Hour each evening. We have resumed our walks at nearby Elmwood Park, particularly lovely as the Earth awakens to the increased sunlight and warmth of spring.
We will continue to log our daring activities as we
