I went to the store today, not because I really needed anything, but because I had to drive my car. I did get a few essentials at the store, as well as a few non-essential (but healthy, or rather healthier) snacks, such as dried apricots and coconut chips.
The most difficult part about going shopping nowadays is to figure out what hat goes with a white surgical mask. I finally decided that a simple straw fedora with a black edging around the brim wouldn’t look too silly. I’m sure it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t wear a mask — none of the store employees would say anything, particularly since the check-out clerks are the only ones who wear them. And since a mask is for their protection, not mine — and since I know for a fact I don’t have The Bob (it’s impossible to catch something when you’re not around people) — it’s sort of silly, but then, wearing it for ten minutes a week isn’t going to kill me.
A friend stopped by last night with a gift of beets and he wore a mask, but by the time I opened the door barefaced, it was too late for me to run to get a mask. (Which, now that I think of it, came from him in the first place.)
Other than donning a mask for my infrequent forays out of my hermitage, my life really hasn’t changed much during the past couple of months, and I doubt it will change when everything is open again. I never did buy much more than essentials, anyway. Hardly ever went to a restaurant. Never went to a bar. Seldom went to any sort of gathering. Probably the only thing I’d do different is have someone over for tea.
I used to think the world would be a vastly different place if people lived like me, and now that they are (except for driving newer cars), it doesn’t seem any different. But then, it’s hard to know if things are different since I am among people so seldom.
I have liked driving to the local stores, though, rather than walking or going to a bigger store in a bigger town. (I take a short drive out into the country first because I don’t think it’s good to drive less than a mile, particularly since I only go out every five or six days.) Every time I drive around here, I get to have a conversation about my car, which is nice. And it’s good, I think, for people to associate me with the bug in case of roadside emergencies or some such.
So that was my day. How was yours?
PS: If you have a good recipe for fresh beets, let me know. Thank you!
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One. “Grief: The Inside Story is perfect and that is not hyperbole! It is exactly what folk who are grieving need to read.” –Leesa Healy, RN, GDAS GDAT, Emotional/Mental Health Therapist & Educator.
Bertram's Blog 
May 28, 2020 at 4:56 pm
I had to go out today. My dog needs her medicine & I had to mail somethings, life a social security form to see if I can
draw ANYTHING from Mike. It’s amazing how I had to straighten them out!!! I also saw an older bug that made me think of you. Hope you got me e-mail.
May 28, 2020 at 5:31 pm
I’m sorry, I did not get your email.
May 28, 2020 at 11:50 pm
The only thing (other then seeing friends and family on a regular basis) about this new lifestyle of ours I really miss is my annual summer road trip. I just don’t think I’ll be ready to trust hotels again for a long time…I barely trusted them to keep me healthy before the pandemic anyway. Once the bookstores and the library re-open, I’ll be happy enough for now.
May 29, 2020 at 6:58 am
I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable on a road trip right now. I’m not even comfortable going to the next town over!
May 29, 2020 at 11:51 am
I used to make a salad with sliced beets (ideally just cooked to tender-crisp), sliced pears, arugula, goat cheese, and pine nuts. Add a simple vinaigrette with shallots, white wine, and olive oil. Goes nicely with salmon, but good on its own too.
May 30, 2020 at 6:56 am
That sounds good! I might have to try it, or a more plebian facsimile since I doubt I could get some of the ingredients here.