My last pass at the grocery store on Tuesday. The Wednesday
before Thanksgiving generally becomes Marty in the bunker – this year I will
churn out three pies, prep the Brussels sprouts, and prepare the potatoes and
see very little of the light of day. Good thing guilt drives me out of doors to
give Mamie a twirl around the block.
I didn’t
manage to get there till noon, which
meant shoppers were in full swing. Being retired, I usually have most stores to
myself, so when I have the bad judgment to shop on the weekend or just before a
holiday it takes a few deep breaths and a dusting off of my supply of patience.
Somehow
anyone who stopped to contemplate a shelf managed to park their carriage right
in front of the one thing I needed. The ones that weren’t doing that were
instead blocking the end of the row. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone would
invent baskets that would travel with us through the store on elevated wires?
What did
tickle me was this grocery chain’s grasp of their target shoppers for this time
of day. As I worked my way through the sea of gray hair and other retirees, we
were regaled with renditions from the Monkees, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and
Neil Diamond. Not one song had been produced any later than 1969.
Suddenly it
was 1967 and I was back on the dance floor at one of Princeton’s
eating clubs where the beer flowed so freely I ruined my shoes that night.
There in the dog food aisle, I had
to restrain myself from tapping my Sketchers when I heard Eddie Floyd’s
. . .
thunder, lightning
the way you
love me is frightening
You better knock, knock, on wood baby
We shop in a basically fresh food market, owned by the same family since the forties. The clientele has an average age of thirty. The Muzak comes from the DVS's of the owners. I look upon it as the further education of the millennials.
ReplyDeleteI ended up at Costco today, and it was the zoo I expected it to be. It was a task I couldn't put off any longer, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. Everywhere there were good samaritans allowing people to cut in line or smiling big at each other. I realized I must have a smile on my face, too. Totally unexpectedly delightful outing. But now I'm done! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd their pumpkin pies are not only the size of manhole covers and super-cheap, they're really good, too.
DeleteI find Costco overwhelming. My partner loves it.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the Thanksgiving Chores are over for you all - and the gratitude and pleasure firmly in place. Have a great one.
I'm tuned into an 'easy-listening' radio station with a similar soundtrack and I actually get sick of hearing all that old stuff so turn it off for a few days.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I end up being a weekend grocery shopper. I sometimes have to control my "road rage". I had to smile at your music reference. "Knock on Wood" was always a roller skating song for me. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! -Jenn (what kinds of pie will you make?)
ReplyDeleteI churned out an apple, pumpkin, and the best pie ever invented - pecan.
Deletemy husband does the grocery shopping so I just give him a list.
ReplyDeleteBless his heart.
DeleteYou got one of the good models!