ANY PORT IN A STORM!

It appears that my last week's post did not actually make it to the 'blogspot'.  I am not sure what happened, other than I did 'edit' it at the last minute.  So, I shall publish two today.  Why?  Well, quite simply, it is my way of remembering.  I used to write a daily diary and my memory was superb.  Writing a weekly post helps me catalogue all that is superfluous!  

I did go swimming last Sunday. The weather was beautiful, but the pool was cold.  I went in, waist deep, and decided that I did not need to put myself through torture, so I got out.  A neighbour, who had been sitting in the corner when I arrived, got up, dived in and swam.  I had to readjust my thinking.  No, it was not a challenge. (Oh yes it was.)  He was not mocking me! (Oh yes he was.) He was not attempting to become a contender for Guardian of the Pool!  (Oh yes he was.)  I decided that as it was way too early for Pantomime season to begin, I really needed to put things into  perspective.  My perspective.  He was a heavy built, strong, younger person.  He was probably from Ohio, or somewhere north that gets lots of snow.  Maybe he was from Illinois, where he swam as a child in the Great Lake when it was frozen, having cut out a hole in the ice.  All this was being thrown around in my head just to make me feel better about not abusing my senses.  I am English!  I am made of strong stuff.  I am also a female hurtling towards her sixtieth birthday, and whilst I may still feel like I am twenty one, and have the capability to out swim some fellow brought up in the outskirts of Chicago, I really need to stop needing to feel so provoked!  I settled down, and decided that I might go for a swim later, or I might not.  As I returned to my book, which I had almost finished, two youngish girls entered the area.  They put their things down on a table, and bikini-clad headed to the edge of the pool.   "That's it!" said the voice in my head!  'Al Capone' may get away with it, but this is war!  I jumped into the somewhat freezing water, and started to swim.  My chest tightened, my breathing became short and sharp, and I knew I had made a mistake!  However, once in, and once acclimatised, everything went back to near normal and I continued with the laps.  What happened to the girls?  They decided it was way too cold to swim, and headed for the sun loungers.  

Suffice it to say, I felt quite good, physically, after a bit of bracing exercise, but mentally I wondered what it was that drove me.  Everyone else was, presumably, oblivious to my thoughts, and I was quite sure my own personal failure would not have been discussed outside of the pool area, let alone within the confines of the arena.  I did finish my book!

The weather cooled again on Monday.  Work picked up a little bit.  "I know this is a stupid question, but I don't suppose 'so-and-so' is open to receive papers?"  When I announced that most places were, as the justice system needs to remain operational, they responded with a rather surprised, "Oh.  I guess so!"  

Working from home has impacted the telephone 'scammers' to a degree.  Although I have received fewer 'spam' calls, they are continuing to burden me throughout the day, but I guess even they have to make a living.  Instead of muffled voices in the background and lots of clicking of keyboards, I can hear the faint moans of children's voices, or vaguely make out the character on a cartoon show.  Really?  You are doing this in front of your kids?  One such call was from someone who sounded like he had been woken from a sound sleep.  "Yeah, um, I need to speak, um.  Is the, um, owner or um....um....".  I responded.  "Have you just woken up?"  Click!  I suppose if you are working from home, and oversleep, you can make up the time by not wasting it having a shower and getting dressed!  "Hey, get up!  You have to go to work.  Are you awake?"  Response.  "Yep, I'm awake.  Pass me the phone.  Okay, I'm at work!"

The week went by quite quickly, and as I said, work picked up a little bit.  The weather was typical for this time of year.  Hot one day, much cooler the next.  Tempests caused turmoil towards the end of the week, and the news focused on storm damage, which although was not a welcome change, was a welcome change.  How one disaster can outdo another is rather a sad state of affairs, but here we are!

News that a certain store was reopening surged its way towards the headlines.  Tuesday Morning is a bitsy store, which is on par with TK (TJ) Max and the likes, but slightly more antique in its appearance.  It stocks what is considered 'essential'.  It has aisles containing household cleaners, pots and pans, and most importantly, food.  Now, when I say 'food', I am using the word in a very broad way.  It generally has an aisle with specialties, such as European biscuits and chocolate, designer pasta, expensive jams, etc.  However, any port in a storm!  I made a mental note to go and support them on Saturday, as I was out of licorice, and despite anyone's personal preference, to me it is essential! (Hated, yes hated it as a kid!)  

The week progressed.  I walked each evening, and chatted to a few neighbours on Thursday, who were sitting enjoying a glass of wine, a fair distance from each other.   We chatted for a while, discussing the differences between here and across the pond.  One of the ladies is originally from Newcastle, (England, not Delaware!) and has been here for many more years than I have.  "At least we have the pool!" she said, and I agreed wholeheartedly. We discussed the fact that it was still a little too cold to go swimming, here, but how we would have considered it perfect weather to swim at home.  We both agreed that the weather was the first thing to which we had to acclimatise.  I told them of my challenging Sunday, and my 
English neighbour knew exactly what I was talking about!  The other ladies laughed, but without the inside knowledge! I bid them farewell and continued on my way.  

Friday was particularly hot.  I saw a wonderful article on the BBC news about a lady who works for Tesco.  I am naming names.  Laura McLellan.  She said that she has never felt more humble to sell bread and butter!  Her story made me laugh.  After I made the comments in the previous post that burger flippers are now our heroes and worth their weight in gold, this lady said that she mans the tills at Tesco, and was delighted to find out she is an essential worker, and she wished she could go back in time to tell her Head Master (principle) that she was doing an important job!  It made me laugh.  Well done, Laura! 

Heading home, I decided that I would go for a swim.  After all, the temperatures had not dropped dramatically since Monday, and even though we had seen quite a bit of rain (nothing in comparison to some places) and wind (nothing in comparison to some places) the heat index was still above normal.  No one was by the pool.  The sun was already off the water, so it was no surprise that the area was deserted.  The water was just a little warmer than Sunday, but I did not have anyone goading me.  I swam and I swam.  It was glorious and I was very grateful for the opportunity. 

With my mask on, I walked across the car park to the entrance of Costco on Saturday morning.  It was shortly before nine and the queue was extremely short, and moving.  Although not open until 9:30, they had opened the doors to let people in.  I strolled around to the back, and out of the corner of my eye, spotted something unusual.  A lady ahead of me saw the same thing, and started to walk back.  However, as I was in her way, she stopped abruptly. "You go first", she said, looking around, tentatively.  I moved to my left, and picked up a pack of five tubs, each containing disinfectant wipes.  "It's Christmas!" I sang aloud.  I moved out of the way quickly, and the lady ran forward and picked up a pack.  "It's Christmas", she repeated and started to dance.  Ears tingled, and more people came rushing over to the corner of the store.  "How many can we have?"  "I have two families I am shopping for".  "There is no limit.  There is no sign".  I sent Samantha a message.  "It's Christmas", I said.  "You have found wipes!" she responded.  "Get me some!"  I picked up another pack, half expecting to be told to put them back either by the staff at the back of the store, or at the till.  

I was only allowed to purchase one pack, but I could share!  If they had them today.....!  I headed across town to Walmart, with a brief stop at Whole Foods.  I can count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times I have actually shopped in Whole Foods.  However, needs must, and the urge for licorice was rather strong.  I had bought some from 'Sprouts' but it was not up to par (in my opinion) and Twizzlers do not 'make the cut'.  "Can I help you find something?" asked the member of staff.  "Licorice?" I answered.  "Oh yes.  We have some, somewhere.  You mean like Twizzlers?" he said.  "Definitely not like Twizzlers", I replied.  "I get you!" he said, and I followed him, expectantly.  However, I was disappointed, as they only had flavoured strings.  Not my cup of tea so to speak.  I left empty handed.  

Walmart was no busier than it has been.  I wandered and shopped.  I spent less than usual, as I stuck to my list quite rigourously!  I picked up a couple of bits for Jake, my homeless guy, and headed out.  I met Samantha in the car park.  She gave me back my sewing machine, which she had borrowed a couple of weeks ago, and some groceries.  I gave her two tubs of Christmas, I mean wipes, and some post that had come to the office.  Edward remained behind the glass in the car!  We waived!

Jake was delighted to tell me that he can start work on Wednesday, and although will still be without a home so to speak, is going to be back on the road to getting one.  I was as delighted!  It was wonderful to see how genuinely  happy he was at the prospect of living somewhere other than his car.  He is not 'on the streets' from choice and this gave me hope too!  I gave him some groceries for which he is always grateful, and told him that I would check in on him for as long as he was there.  If, by chance, he was not there one week, I would know why, and be happy!  It made me more grateful form my life, and rather humbled at being able to help, even if just a little.  

I headed back across town to Tuesday morning.  I did not see licorice at first, but strolled the aisles none-the-less.  I refused to leave empty handed, and found a 'yard-long' pack of Belgian biscuits.  They were on sale.  I headed for the cash desk, where whilst in the line (which was not too long) I spotted a few packs of licorice.  I picked up one of each to see which was best.  Now they were open, and had the product, I could swing by anytime.  "Did you find everything okay?" the lady behind the surgical mask asked.  "Well, not at first, but I was so glad that you were open, I thought I would show my support and not leave empty handed".  So, I know you cannot see a smile behind the mask, but my eyes must have scrunched to show I was, indeed, smiling.  The blank, unblinking eyes returned nothing.  "So, did you find everything okay?"  I give up!  Perhaps she didn't want to come into work!  Perhaps she overslept.  Can't do this job from bed!  Sorry, am I being judgmental?  Heck yeah!  I bought the biscuits and licorice.

The weather was pleasant, but just a little cool to swim, as the wind was still a tad brisk.  I walked.  I met another neighbour whom I saw last week. We chatted for a while.  She asked me if I had seen any news about what was going on in our city, or if there had been any State directives.  I find it rather interesting that they all seem to think that I am the authority, or that I am in the know.  Well I suppose I am, as I do know, because I look.  I think a lot of people just don't bother looking at the news because it is the same each day.  Most have asked where I get my news, and are quite astounded when I tell them, "Look at the County Court website, or the Governors website".  I don't actually check the news!  I told her about Tuesday Morning.  "Why are they essential?" she asked.  "Because they have food", I said.  "They do?" she questioned, then thought about it and said, "They do!"  I smiled.  "Well, sort of", she continued.  I told her about my trip and the lady behind the counter.  "So you are only allowed down the food aisle?" she asked.  "Oh no!" said I.  "I browsed the whole store".  I made her day!  "I'm going!"  Although not much of a shopper the fact that browsing has been outlawed, this gave much hope!  Any port in a storm!

I returned home, having completed my walk.  We ordered, and collected dinner.  The restaurant where we have been frequenting for our take out, had been awarding double points on their loyalty programme and we had, apparently, amassed enough to earn a free dinner.  We were delighted, and somewhat disappointed that they chose to give us the discount, rather than ask if we would like it deferred, so we could use it when they were 'up and running'.  However, it was their choice.

So once again, we had a nice breakfast on Sunday at home, I went for a walk, and will no doubt go for a swim.  Or perhaps I will not swim.  I just saw an article that said some restaurants are opening up their patios for 'distancing' dinners.  Perhaps we are going to get back to some sort of normal sooner than we thought.  These restaurants are not in Austin, but in more rural parts.  

Beautiful warm weather certainly helps things along, and I am constantly counting my blessings on so many levels.  I am also grateful for technology, and the ability to see my kids even if it is over a screen.  Contact is contact!  Another week starts tomorrow, and amazingly we are heading into May.  My 'stay' message is, 'Stay hopeful'.  Let's see what next week brings in ..... another story!