March 21, 2020 - Unk Note - Day 131

I was thinking today about the self-quarantine, businesses closed, schools closed, grocery stores stripped of all things normal, travel restrictions, lines for testing, people dying ... pretty intense stuff for the whole world to be experiencing.  Several friends and family members work in the medical field and I can't help but worry about them.  One of my friends wished there was some place where we could go and not have to deal with it at all.  That is an option of course, albeit a deadly one. 

My last trip to the grocery was on March 7 just as the significance of Covid-19 was beginning to rage in the United States.  I need to go to the store again.  I need gas in the car.  A little shopping therapy would be good too.  Then, in one of those rare moments of senior clarity, I thought way, way back.  My parents were children of the Great Depression.  My grandparents were victims of the Great Depression.  When I was coming up, there was still a sense of being poor and having to make do with what we had.

I reviewed my grocery list.  What do I really need from the grocery? 99% was more "want" than "need".  I've been out of bread for a few days.  I have less than 1/2 gallon of milk, and I'm completely out of yogurt.  Oh woe is me .... sigh.  I suddenly could hear my Aunt Elsie talking to me (she died in 1968).  Yes, the guilt set right in.  What is in the refrigerator, cupboard, pantry?  In my case, quite a lot actually.  I had all of the ingredients to make bread.  Right this moment, I can smell the fresh-baked bread in the oven.  Give me the butter; cause I'll need a fix as soon as it comes out of the oven!  Earlier, I made a fresh batch of Colorado Salsa.  Made enough for 3 containers.  Freeze 2 and eat off of 1.  The freezer has several servings of ham & beans that I made in the slow cooker last week.  I have canned goods too.  Tomorrow I could make a fresh batch of "Secret Cookies".  There is at least a couple weeks of wine on the rack ... unless Rod was here, then a couple days worth ... and beer in the refrigerator. 

I guess I don't actually, really need to go to the grocery.  The car will need gas soon.  Since I'm still struggling with getting in and out of the car, and that process takes some time to complete, I can ask one of my friends to take the car to the gas station and fill the tank.  I think social distancing can be accomplished there.  I do need to make the trip three times a week to physical therapy.  I could just cancel therapy and do the learned exercises at home, but that will prolong the recovery process.  If I really must shop, all I need to do is go online.

We all need to evaluate what we really "want" or "need", and make a plan.  Does your neighbor have a couple of extra rolls of toilet paper?