The whole world is concentrating on COVID-19, since it has affected everyone in some way. Because it was raining at the time we usually take our 2.5-mile walk, we did our grocery shopping at the tail end of senior-time. Since our state now has rules about staying apart, our store set aside two days for seniors to shop between 7 and 8 in the morning. At 77, I’m probably in the middle of the older category. I was impressed that the atmosphere was pleasant. People moved at their own slow rate, calmly making choices. Most were aware of other shoppers, so that there were few clogs in the aisles. There were no loafers or sneakers there, either. We oldsters have honed our coping skills, helping us to be patient and friendly. We would rather be known as patient in the grocery than the hospital, so we were careful with each other. I can’t say I always feel good about being old, but today I was thrilled to note that I had more speed than most. I was walking upright on my own, not using the cart as a crutch or a walker. Not using a motorized cart, I could reach everything we needed. Both John and I could read the grocery list, no small wonder since I had written it. Shopping was a great experience, because I came out feeling 20 years younger than I did going in. That kind of regression was a heady experience, one worth repeating on a weekly basis.
We hope all of you are coping easily and managing to avoid contamination.
Mehrling Muse 
We did our grocery shopping last Thursday but we were too late for seniors hour. It was still early, around 8, and it wasn’t very crowded with a mix of people young and old. Everyone was being mindful of each other. The store itself was clean with sanitizers and people cleaning everywhere. I felt ok about it. We have to go out for food occasionally and I have some friends who are terrified. I’m doing the best I can with gloves and hand washing. I can’t be terrorized on top of that. I am always grateful that I don’t need a motorized cart and can reach stuff (for the most part). I had to get eggs for a woman in a cart. There was no way she would open the door and reach inside while on the cart. We are blessed.
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Only one of us can go to the grocery store at a time here in Spain, so I go. Everyone is very pleasant and keeps their distance. No crowds either and the shelves are well stocked. We won’t starve. Glad your experience was a good one.
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I’ve always enjoyed shopping for food. I’m glad this virus hasn’t ruined the experience. That’s something that you must go shopping alone. It’s good to know that your shelves are well stocked.
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Shoot! I’d never make senior hour. I don’t think I’ve gotten up that early since this whole thing started. lol
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That’s amusing. We’ll be getting up earlier as the sun rises earlier each day. I’ll miss sleeping this late.
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Your grocery shopping experience was 180º opposite of mine. I came out feeling 20 years older. Of course I was there in the middle of the afternoon– and people were not following the social distancing guidelines so I waited and waited to be able to get to what I needed. I usually like grocery shopping, but not the last time I went.
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We are blessed to live in an area with fewer people. I hope your shopping experiences improve.
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There are some advantages to being in the upper age group and for living in the boon docks.
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I’m thrilled that we
oldsters have some advantages.
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M.A. was at the local Acme by 0630, no Brown Rice, no Spaghetti, little to no cans of anything. When asked “where is” of a known associate, “waiting for the truck to come in,” was the answer. Life on the road not good for the Truckers today. Add them to our prayer list also. You go Girl, watch out for speed traps.
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Thank you for being a brave shopper. As I perform my daily duties at our Store I take pride in wiping down all the door handles and all surfaces that may be touched. We need to be careful and aware that there is a risk of not being aware.
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I’m glad you are meticulous in disinfecting surfaces. Our daughter is a cashier in a supermarket, and so far she has not caught the virus.
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We were running short on milk but my daughter stopped for gas and the empty store had two gallons. We froze one and are using the other. I am mostly using food I had already.
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Our store is well-stocked, and we are thankful for that. Without the internet, we wouldn’t know about all the shortages.
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Sadly here the shortages are real.
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I need a frown button. Hope your shelves are filled soon.
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My daughter did my shop last week then they brought it round, put it on my doorstep and sat in the car waving at me. I didn’t enjoy not hugging my grandchildren.I need more milk Thursday so I must risk going out to the corner shop.Shouldn’t be a problem.A nurse came to dress my legs this morning but thought better of it because I have cough. The chemist delivered some more antibiotics this afternoon. Wearing a mask, put the drugs on my step and then went to stand at the end of my path (about 20 feet)to speak to me. Won’t it be nice when we return to normal.
Hugs
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It will be glorious to return to normal!!!
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Looking to the day you no longer have to dress your legs. BesafeDavid!
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That might be the day I stop applying my talons to the unbearable itching Elfidd
Hugs
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It will be great when we return to normal. We bought our usual monthly supply the first of the month, then on the 13th we picked up some extra canned goods just in case. I’m glad we did.
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We always have a bit of extra food in the house, so we had no need to stock up. Surely it’s hoarding only if you buy tons of things in a public crisis.
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I take my dad grocery shopping every week and we went today too, despite my thought that he should really stay home and safe. I try not to be a nag, but I hoped he washed his hands when we came home. He isn’t worried at all about contracting the virus saying, “I was on a ship where half the staff came down with the flu, I never got it.” Well, this ain’t the flu and people are dying at an alarming rate. Still, I will keep visiting him and doing what he needs until ordered to stop. At least Kroger, where we go, disinfects the carts and provides hand sanitizer on your way out, but they aren’t limiting the number of folks that can be in the store at a time like Home Depot and other stores are.
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We haven’t seen any store limiting the number of people going in. This may be happening where we don’t see it, but it helps that we have a lower population in this area. I’m glad you tried to protect your dad, even if he didn’t think he needed it.
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We actually ordered online and picked up curbside this past weekend but getting a time has been increasingly difficult to do because everyone wants it now. Stay well out there.
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We are well out of everything, thank goodness! Living in the country has never been so beneficial. How was the ordering online? It must help to be organized and know what you want.
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Ordering on line was pretty easy but now we can’t get a time slot and everything is booked up.
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That’s a bummer! I’ll bet they never expected the present volume of ordering.
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I have the same problem as George above. Senior hours are good!
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We went right when the store opened a few days ago, and everyone nicely stayed in their place, except one elderly woman who kept leaning over people’s carts to see what they purchased and talking with lots of spit happening as she talked. I don’t think she meant harm, but it wasn’t great.
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Golly Pete! Her epitaph should read, “She meant well.”
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It is trying times for sure and I wonder how many large Easter hams will go untouched in the stores as there are no big family get togethers for Easter? For some, the Easter meal is as much a ritual as the chocolate, candy and church. We will appreciate all the little things when this over and appreciate each other more I think. I’ve not been to the grocery store and hope not to for about a month – we have the drive-up shopping at Meijer or they pick up and deliver items as well, so we’ll see.
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We bought a small ham just to have meat in the house. I’m saving it for Easter, even if there are only three of us to eat it. The leftovers will be frozen, so we’ll enjoy it for several meals.
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Yes you have to have ham for Easter. When it was just my mom and me, we always got ham steaks for Easter, but sometimes at Christmas a half ham and my mom would cut it up for bean soup, split-pea soup and my favorite – quiche. It would be enough for all Winter. My grandmother was raised on a farm and was one of nine kids. They butchered their own animals/chickens. It was roast chicken every Sunday and they always had a ham in the fridge. I even wrote about a post once about my grandmother and her ever-present ham – if someone came to visit, all in one breath she would say “let me fix you a cup of tea and a ham sandwich.”
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If we aren’t allowed to gather at Easter, I guess there will be only three of us to eat the ham. There will be plenty!
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There sure will be – a good way to make your special Egg McMuffin with its tailor-made name.
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Leftover ham is ALWAYS useful, as your grandmother knew so well.
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A friend of mine took advantage of the new senior hours at the grocery store and found a pack of hard-to-find paper towels. When she finished her shopping and went to check out, she discovered a “sneaky senior” (her words) had stolen the paper towels out of her shopping cart while her back was turned! 😀
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That is terrible! Who knew you now need a lockable shopping cart???
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Our stores have senior shopping times also. I just try get all my errands done on the same day so I don’t have to go out as much. Our stores are well stocked and not over crowded and I am so grateful for that!
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I’m glad your stores are well-stocked. I am surprised at how many people say shelves are empty. We’re blessed to have almost everything we could want. These are strange times.
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interesting!
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