COVID Senior Lockdown, Day 8

Today is trash day. The truck comes punctually at 5:00 a.m. each Monday morning, holidays notwithstanding. I learned from my father to appreciate the people who do the grunt work. He always left a six pack among the cans around Christmas. The guys on the truck always lined the empty trash cans up neatly as a thank you. I have continued this tradition over my many years as a homeowner. Last night, as we were taking the cans out to the end of the driveway, Mrs. F put a six out with a note that said “Thank You!” This morning, the cans were as neatly and tightly set up as Christmas. These are guys and gals who are keeping the gears rolling. They appreciate a nod. Dad would be proud.

We broke out this morning and ran some errands. In a time of Stay Home, this was a perfectly defensible outing. The morning news said the Governor would be laying out new rules closing non-essential businesses at 11:00. We figured to beat the new panic. We hit the liquor store just to, you know, top off a few things. We think they’re essential but who knows whether he does? Mrs. F made me stay in the car while she tackled a grocery run. Her report: “The grocery store was downright weird, again. Of course, the paper products and cleaners were gone, but pickles? Who’s hoarding pickles? And olives. More martini fans around here than we thought? Or more antipasto plates? Rice and beans were mostly cleaned out. Three lonely bags of 15 Bean soup and 12 cans of black beans and nothing else. What are people doing with bulk purchases of Great Northern Beans?” As I’ve said, we’re sympathetic. But such things do raise questions.

Nothing from Melissa at Microsoft today. I’m beginning to think it was a wrong number.

And one more note. I’m an old editor and wordsmith, although it probably doesn’t show in the blog because I’m trying to be casual. But I am a little frustrated with “unchartered territory” as used by very educated people in the news. The word is “uncharted,” as in unmapped, unexplored. ‘Nuff said.