To Shop or Not to Shop

I had the use of a friend’s car yesterday so took advantage and decided to pick up a few things from some businesses still open. First stop was to pick up something from a friend in Esquimalt, from a socially distant bench in her yard while she stood on the steps to ensure I was the one picking it up. We had a quick hello from behind masks and I carried on. 

Next stop was Michaels, the craft store. They were letting in a limited number of people at a time, and I needed a few craft things. For the most part, it was not too crowded, but at the checkout, the person behind me was not socially distancing nor was she standing on the clearly marked social distance spots on the floor. They were 18 inches in diameter so noticeable. I gave her the Covid death glare but she just didn’t get it. I kept moving ahead away from her. Clueless. I finally made it to the front and checked out and left Michaels and made a final stop at Fairways Market for some last on my list groceries. They were counting people here too. I stepped into the lineup and waited my turn. Once in, it felt a bit too crowded for me. They had packed up all the cafe eating tables, and replaced it with two people sanitizing carts and baskets as you walk in. I knew exactly what I needed and I knew the layout of the store having been going there for years. I was going to take a quick run through the fresh fruit and veg section however there was a crowd there and a lineup to move through it so I found the nearest checkout and got in line. More barrier plastic between me and the checkout person. Good. I moved to where she was putting my bags and she told me to move back to behind the barrier until she was done. Okey dokey. Paid for my groceries and finally headed back home again. Phew. Decided Michaels was off my list for now. They don’t carry anything I cannot get online right now. I can’t get there by walking and I am not taking the bus these days - too risky. 

Once home, I unpacked my new purchases and then received a call from my friend who owned the car. She wanted me to come get her and swing through a drive through and sit at the beach for a quick visit. Off we go. On the way back home she wants to stop at the dollar store. I didn’t think they were open, but sure enough, they were. We had to line up to go in, and once in, I realized I did not want to be in there. There was very little I needed and the paint section was pretty much cleaned out. I got in line with my handful of things and again someone failed to understand social distance and was also allowing her child she had with her to spit and blow raspberries. Fuck. The kid was 5 years old so old enough to listen when told and if he cannot listen, he must not be permitted out with her, not now when spitting on someone can carry such risk. I gave them both the Covid death glare. No effect. Ugh, another store off my list. They don’t sell anything I need bad enough to go there right now. Also, one of the biggest tent cities in town is across the street and apparently buy much of their food there, so have a heavy presence in the store. There are also several of their store windows busted with plywood over them, quite possibly from the tent city residents. With no one out at about late at night, they would have had ample opportunity. 

Time to bring me home again, and as I unpacked my shopping, I realized I just don’t want to go anywhere right now where there are lots of people. I hate wearing a mask but feel so vulnerable without it right now. So my limit will be once a week to Fairways market down the street and daily walks to the park. Now that I am not doing daily walks to Tim Hortons and hiding my painted rocks, I have to find a new order to the day. I have left the RV only once today, for my walk to the park. Now I am home for the rest of the day. 

There is much pedestrian and self propelled (skateboards, bicycles, etc) up and down this street. That’s more than enough to keep both Nash and me entertained. People stop and talk to him all the time, and are quite fascinated by him. He is such a ham and loves to just meow at them. I also hear people reading the quotes on my RV as they go by. Most do not realize I am in here when they are doing this. I sit quietly and listen, smiling. Now some of the regular walkers call out to him as they pass by. So cute. I won’t be curbside for much longer however as my friend has sold her RV and I will be moving up to the top of the driveway to park. It will be more level and private, but less of a view of much other than the sides of houses. This matters little. I can hang out in the front or back yard and enjoy the beauty of both anytime. 

So all in all, I am content with my current arrangement. I can make it work. Nash is happy enough. I am happy enough. Life goes on. Here is an inside look at my RV.