Shopping

At my age I don’t need a lot of things. Groceries, certainly, drugstore items, too, cleaning products and an occasional personal product like a men’s shaver. Books I read on my Kindle. Movies are watched on TV. Gasoline I get at the normal place. Clothing is infrequent and basic. I shop at Target for men’s wear, but sizes are a problem for me. I take 3-extra-large for most everything. Pants need an inseam and waist measurement. I’m not good at that so   just go to a store with personnel support. Shirts are easy.

With limited mobility, I use a cane to enter target and use one of their electric carts. Then I mosey around the big box store to my heart’s content. Until, that is, content becomes ill content. Most large sizes seem to be carried by Target only over their online store. But if given that choice, I simply use Amazon for the cheapest price.

Groceries I do weekly and meagerly. I get Factor prepared meals, 4 of them per week. That keeps shopping at a minimum. I also get Meals on Wheels and that provides 5 meals each week. Although I call them Meals Grimm, they are fine for lunch or a quick, abbreviated supper. Nutritious, quick to heat, and a zip to eat. Not very good but sustaining and free. How could I possibly argue with that? At any rate, grocery shopping is limited to eggs, bread, butter, juice, puddings and such. I have canned soups and stews for an occasional home meal, too.

I may have to go back to the COVID arrangement whereby I order groceries online and pick them up curbside at the store. Most of my drug store items I get through their drive through. Restaurant meals are usually drive throughs with the meals consumed in the parked car. Easy and no tips. And cheap!

I do remember the years when shopping was termed window shopping and was a prime entertainment. In those days we needed more than what we could afford, so it was a prioritized accumulation of goods as needed and afforded. Later in life, most of those things we already have or have an abundance of. The question is getting rid of the excesses. So, as I said, at my age, I don’t need a lot of things, so shopping is simple and infrequent.

Still, I enjoy getting out of the apartment. It seems odd for me to take rides alone, but I am getting back to that. Getting more difficult to find routes to travel, however. I do have an idea that would be good for me. That is visiting small towns in rural areas, visiting a family diner and talking/interviewing fellow customers on issues of the day. No arguments, just interviews and clarification of issues. I would take notes on my laptop and write about them in my blog. The only cost would be the miles/gas, and meals consumed while talking with other guests.

I wonder if this would be helpful, purposeful or what. I know it would consume time and keep my interest. It would also get me out of the apartment. And driving! I still find that a lark.

I’m beginning to think shopping is rather for things to do rather than things to bring home. Must be an age thing. Most items today are. Oh well!

July 31, 2024

 

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