I decided to wear my mask all the time, out and about. My selfie ability has not improved.
The grocery store expedition was fascinating. Remember, Kreiger's is a grocery store. No paper products to be out of. Of my entire list, I had to substitute yellow split peas for green, and they were out of yeast. It's time to relearn sourdough. Or not.
There was little traffic in the store, but it did fill up to the usual volume before I left. Plexiglass dividers have been installed at the counters. I walked from aisle six to aisle one to find a cashier with no customers. I should have realized she always has few to no one checking out because she is such a grump.
I had bags, but she would not load them. It is difficult to load bags in the tiny space allotted, but I kept at it. The Grump several times informed me they had plastic she could use, and I simply smiled and said "No, thank you."
Another customer came behind me and the Grump checked him out. She did a nice job of segregating our purchases and packing his while I finished mine. We finished simultaneously.
I came home with six bags. I only bought for two weeks, but more bags are lighter to lift.
This is all it amounted to. Oh, and I remember, the big plastic boxes of packaged spinach were not there. The whole section of prepared greens was mighty slim. I forgot to go back to the fresh vegetable section to find spinach and chard. There were no loose carrots this week, either.
I was back from shopping and the post office shortly after noon, but putting away all the groceries and making a loaf of bread took the rest of the stuffing out of me.
They were back ordered from my original order of spring bulbs because, don't you know, they cannot be planted until spring.
That broader green leaf in the center probably is anemone. I wonder if carefully cutting away the brown tip of that very first bulb, by the black pole, will help it. It took a hit from freezing temps, freezing rain and freezing snow.
I hope this pot blooms paper narcissus. There are so many coming up.
Sometime this week I'll plant up the ranuculus for pig to enjoy. It's way too early to put up mandevilla. You may need to keep reminding me.
The days seem to go by rather slowly and physical exertion zaps me too quickly lately!
ReplyDeleteIve decided after my last trip to the grocer that it will be a long while before I go out again. Too risky despite the precautions. I have enough to get buy for awhile if I am careful and I have been rationing the household since this whole pandemic began. The stores here have been out of certain basics for weeks...like toilet paper despite limiting or rationing certain items to purchase and reassuring us that there are no shortages. I'm not sure why that is the case but it is what it is. As for the recycling bags, the stores will not pack them for us either due to the possible spread of germs. They will give plastic as you've discovered. Keep safe.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly.
DeleteWell done! You shopped and now you won't have to go again for a long time. Excellent!
ReplyDeleteAnd you won't forget your mandevilla. I know that.
Our grocery store here no longer provides plastic bags so they are forced to use our recyclable bags. Unfortunate timing, I think. I wouldn't want to be a grocery cashier at the moment.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing Pig and his plant!
Our stores are out of yeast, too. So I bought frozen bread dough. In the old-time spirit, I can use that dough as a starter for my own.
ReplyDeleteHow would you do that?? Do you have a blog where you'd be willing to post instructions? Thank you! Carol Westover (aka Tehachap)
DeleteNo yeast here either. Or flour.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment we are compelled to pack our own bags (no plastic) in the name of social distancing.
Hooray for spring bulbs. More of ours are coming up each day (way too early) and they make my heart sing (with crossed fingers if that makes sense).
How silly for a cashier to try to reject your bags. The Target I visit on occasion takes a few cents off the bill for customers who bring their own bags. My son found toilet paper at the Dollar Store today. He said he bought the biggest package they had. He was almost out before we gave him t.p. for his birthday. What a gift!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Reusable bags could be a virus carrier. Some states have banned reusable bags.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder that we are in the throes of Spring, a time of green sprouts pushing up through the ground. Seeing your bulbs emerge gives me such joy. I thank you... I was a bit down before coming here. Thanks for the lift!
ReplyDeleteI find I tire more easily, too. I think it's the underlying stress and the normal activity add up faster. That said, you did a lot.
ReplyDeleteWe are having to pack our own groceries too, at the checkout, where there is very little room to do so. I hooked my bag over my arm and just threw things in, then repacked on the bench just outside the door. The other store, across the road, is still packing bags for people so I'll go there next time. I hope your paper narcissus blooms soon for you.
ReplyDeleteLooking at your groceries, Joanne... I always buy buttermilk and bacon... no matter. And without yeast, couldn’t one use beer? Oh, and I like the pic! Add a cowboy hat and you look Texan!
ReplyDeleteGrocery stores here don't allow reusable bags brought from home anymore. Too great a risk that they might carry coronavirus. We must use the plastic bags given out by the grocery store. Oh well, at least they aren't charging 5 cents a bag now!
ReplyDeleteWhat I have found here in Arizona is fresh produce is now well stocked. It used to have some holes here and there but there is plenty of abundance of it now on the shelves. You did good with your shopping outing. Some stores aren't allowing reusable bags here even if the shopping will pack them themselves.
ReplyDeletebetty
I think you did a wonderful job with your selfies. I am glad to hear the grocery store adventure wasn't too bad. I am having a hard time finding frozen veggies. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got your shopping trip done. It sounds like it went well other than the grumpy cashier. We are not allowed to bring our own bags here due to the coronavirus. What a nice surprise that you received your ranuculus. You will have a new growth to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI hope there is a pack of creme sticks in there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteYes there is, but I don't see it either. I've eaten only one of four.
DeleteOh, they're holding up the bacon.
DeleteWe all need a treat now and then, so enjoy them.
DeleteNoticing your plants, here in England the garden centres are facing bankruptcy as they can't sell plants at this most important time of the year sadly.
ReplyDeleteMine is closed, too. I won't think about it right now.
DeleteI have hundreds of plants I had planned on selling at carboot sales. Looks like will have to enjoy them at home when they flower.
ReplyDeleteYour shopping experience sounds very similar to mine. Don't forget the mandevilla Joanne.
ReplyDeleteI wear the mask Miriam made for me when I go shopping. From what I can gather homemade masks are not effective, in fact may be quite useless, but I feel that I am at least trying when I wear it, and it does cover my nose and mouth so I don't touch them. So far, whenever I have shopped, I have been able to get everything I went for.
ReplyDeleteI listen to the experts who say they are not useless.
DeletePlastic bags keep the virus longer. So you do a lot of good with your own bags, Joanne. xx
ReplyDeleteNo yeast or flour in New Zealand either. We haven't had plastic bags in our supermarkets for about 2 years. So while the virus is out there, we have to pack our own bags from home. The good thing is that the goverment has sent out lots of messages to tell everyone that there is enough food and toilet paper for everyone and to be kind to each other. You aren't allowed to buy more than 2 of any one items to stop people hoarding.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI put my order online for the second week in a row - our supermarket (did I mention?) has us on a 'vulnerable households' list which give us priority over other online shoppers - once a week. Am most grateful for that. I haven't stepped outside in ten days straight now and am starting to feel the effects of that - not least that dad is sending me a bit doolally... and I may be having the same effect upon him!!! YAM xx
I told a friend about you and your sister sharing care of your dad. She sends her sympathy, too.
DeleteThere is a friendly cashier whom I gravitate too. In fact, we have good chats. There is also one whom I avoid.
ReplyDeleteI'll stand in someone other line next time.
DeleteI am surprised that you are still able to go to the shops - we are encouraged not to do so here and to have our food delivered if we possibly can. I am managing pretty well so far and you sound to be doing the same. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThis is a small, independent shop. They haven't organized their web page to take orders for pick up or delivery. I could hire and independent, but would they know the store?
DeleteOurs lives are contracted for sure. Better days ahead!
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne,
ReplyDeleteSome stores in the northeast are refusing customer bags on the premise that they may be contaminated. That's fair. I've stopped bringing mine. We've also gotten into the practice of quarantining our cardboard wrapped goods for 24-hours (supposedly the length of time the virus can stay on it). 72-hours for the plastic. Unless it needs to be refrigerated and then it gets wiped down on the outside with a little clorox wipe. Some days I'm very vigilant and fierce about it and other days, I feel like it's overkill but persist grudgingly. I also had to hunt for yeast. I couldn't find the standard kind. Had to settle for a sour dough yeast, which I've never heard of, and a quick-rising yeast, which I've never used. Experimentation ahead. One good thing about extra time on my hands is getting back into cooking again.
The yeast shortage is a mystery. I hope the people who make it have turned to making masks for doctors and nurses.
ReplyDeleteI have many plants growing in my dining room as I am concerned that nurseries will not be able to open in May. The seedlings are growing well and it gives me joy to watch and something to do. Yesterday, I received a box of plants from a company that uses local nurseries to deliver plants to your home. The cost is fair, the convenience is terrific, and the plants are very healthy. I will look to see if they have Mandevillas as we get closer to planting season.
ReplyDeleteI hope my nursery reopens. It's just across the street, locally owned, and it has become an anchor of the business corridor.
DeleteWho IS that masked woman? Oh, it's you, Joanne. Hi! We get our groceries delivered. I would rather go to the store myself. I'd even go to the check-out counter of a champion grump. She doesn't like to use the customer's bags. She said to me, "You must have a bunch of cats, because your bags are giving me asthma." (We have one dog.)
ReplyDeleteYou look you are about to go and ROB a store Joanne but whatever keeps us safe, right.
ReplyDeleteNo need to temp me with forthcoming flower stories...I'll be here.
Joanne, so glad that you managed to get at least some of your groceries. Keep safe x
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne, I really looked closely at your countertop and the groceries on it. Reminds me of what I'm ordering from Hy-Vee, a grocery store that delivers. (Because of Glaucoma, I haven't driven since October 2016.) I'm getting an order--very much like yours--from the store on Thursday late afternoon. I'm so glad you found most of what you were shopping for. Take care. Stay safe. And please continue to wear that "mask" when you go out to shop. Peace.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got your groceries ok..a birthday trip?xx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday ! I do hope that there's less of a Little House on the Prairie feel to the world by your next birthday.
ReplyDeleteYou got a lot done. I've got to stay at home because of Diabetes, which is desperately irritating, so I'm trying to be self-disciplined enough to portion everything to last till the next supermarket delivery in ten days. I expect you'll show much more restraint than me!
Sourdough bread is delicious, as is homemade yoghurt. Perhaps it's time to do-it-ourselves?
same here with bringing your own bags. I went to the grocery store yesterday and was informed almost rudely by the manager or some authority that I would have to fill my own bags, that's fine I said. did I still want to use them. yes, I said. she was almost insulted by it or maybe she was as if she thinks I'm trying to infect her with my bags. the cashier was very apologetic however. it's OK, I told him, I get it. not a problem.
ReplyDeleteOur stores are now limiting the amounts you can buy on many items. Too bad they didn't do that with the paper products weeks ago. Some things I don't even look for any longer and I am surprised at some of the things that are in short supply - like tea. Are they just not restocking or is it being bought quickly as it get on a shelf?? Strange days.
ReplyDelete