Senior Day

I had to go to the grocery store today. HAD TO, or dinner was going to look like an episode of Chopped. "Make a complete entree out of a can of questionable peaches, a can of black beans, some shriveled fennel, and a jar of green olives."

I had to go to the store.

It wasn't until I saw the parking lot that I remembered it was Senior Day. Oh no. Not only might I run into some angry painting class person, I really needed to get in and out and was not sure I was up for Senior Day. At least I was alone. Going to the store with either of the lamblets was a challenge. The seniors flock to the kids. The eldest lamblet wasn't as bad, always being a bit of an older soul, the seniors gave her a bit more room and honored her personal space. Just as they wouldn't go up to an adult and pinch their cheek, they somehow sensed it would be the same if they did it to her.

The youngest lamblet was and still is a different story. She's just got that young magnetism that nothing can hide. She's pure life force beaming out across the universe. The seniors flocked to her much like the lepers to Jesus. And looking wasn't enough, talking to her was not enough, they always wanted to touch. I swear, I think they were really trying to figure out a way to siphon off an ounce or two of vitality. I can't blame them, and have nothing against seniors, but it did start to wear on the youngest. Not only that, it took for freaking ever to get through the store.

Today, I was alone and planned on maneuvering through like a stealth creature, but I still watched... watched them meandering through the aisles, maybe their only trip out for the day, or who knows, maybe the week... or more.

I went past one man a few times who smelled of soap. It smelled good and it made me smile every time I caught a whiff. He was dressed in "dapper casual".  I don't know that I've ever seen a sweatshirt (with dress shirt underneath) that looked like it had been ironed! He paid great attention to what he was getting and judging by what was in his cart, I had the feeling he was going home to no one.

There were a number of women who looked like they'd rather be anywhere than there... after they had probably logged some 2-3 years worth of a life's time in the supermarket, I can't blame them. While on some days I can look forward to going and on some days I can just do it because I have to- I go on autopilot, there are days like today and when I don't want to go one. more. time. A lot of the women looked like that... they also had minuscule amounts of food in their carts, no doubt because they were at that point in life where a corner of toast fills you up for a good portion of the day. These women weren't shopping for kids who can eat their weight in produce in an afternoon.

There were also the older, retired men who looked like they had been sent by their wives... the same wives who refuse to spend one more minute of their time in the damn store! I'd see them roaming, looking like they were looking for something, but not sending out that confident vibe that they knew what it was. I'd see them with one or two items in their carts, going back on forth in the same aisle before seeming to give up and head to the checkout. I wanted to stop everyone of them and say, "Did you get the one thing you were sent here to get?? Do you remember what it was? Because you know when you get home... with 2 or 3 things she didn't ask for, and not the one thing she really did need... you'll pay for it, and you'll pay for a long time. And you'll have to hear about it over Bridge Club... Let's go back over why you think you might have been sent here, ok???"

But I didn't. No, today I really just wanted to get in and out and not just because I was in no mood to go shopping. No, today I wanted to get out so I could regain some of my vitality. I'm not as young and vital as the lamblet, but I think I felt siphoning... Any port in a storm, you know! I wanted to take home my load of groceries for young people and put them away in my young family abode... and possibly snuffle an ounce or two off of the lamblet when she got home...

Comments

[Dan Leo]

Damn, girlfriend, that was some good writing! Not bad for an alleged "visual" person.

(Now just don't go and get a swelled head that I can hear popping two or three states away...)

[Jennifer]

(Now just don't go and get a swelled head that I can hear popping two or three states away...)

:) You'll never forgive me... will you!?

[Kathleen (in Oakland)]

that was a great post. you really have a knack/flair for imagery.

[Substance McGravitas]

"Make a complete entree out of a can of questionable peaches, a can of black beans, some shriveled fennel, and a jar of green olives."

Back in the poor days I found that spaghetti and sugar didn't mix that well.

Silly me for not stealing packs of ketchup from McDonald's.

[Jennifer]

Spaghetti and sugar. GACK!

I do remember spending a week+ living off of grapefruit and oatmeal... wasn't that bad. I'm sure I had other heinous combos though.

Thanks K.

[fish]

Is this a particular special day at the supermarket, or is it just a certain time of day? I know around here I don't want to be shopping around 2pm, anywhere.

[Jennifer]

Tuesdays here are senior discount day... don't know how regional vs national it is, but I remember them as well growing up... my mother usually had the same reaction. She still does and she's 80.

I was there at 11am, which is late for me. I generally like running errands as early as I can, but today, I kept putting it off.

[ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©]

I'm not as young and vital as the lamblet, but I think I felt siphoning...

Always with the spiders!
~

[blue girl]

I feel bad for Mr. Dapper Casual who was going home to no one. :(

Also, why is it that the older you get the less you have to eat? I went to lunch with a couple of older ladies on Monday and they ate like birds and acted like they were stuffed.

I love grocery store stories. Great post, Jennifer!

[karla]

WONDERFUL POST!

[Kathleen]

oops that was supposed to go on the other one

[Jennifer]

I moved it, Kathleen.

[Kathleen (in Oakland)]

I moved it, Kathleen.

Posted by: Jennifer

the power of Typepad!!!

it would've been awesomer though if you had signed that "Zardoz".

[Jennifer]

Done. :)