Thursday, March 19, 2020

Grocery shopping adventures!


 Today I had the dilemma of shopping or not shopping for groceries. I was trying to weigh the pros and cons. I was looking at my grocery list and trying to decide what I could do without for another week or so. Then I was thinking that if things are going to get bad here like in Italy, another week or two would actually be worse. I was thinking that the virus isn't likely to be around this area at the moment, way out here in the country. Even in Ottawa the people testing positive were returning from other countries. It doesn't seem to be in the surrounding communities yet. I decided it's better to go now.

 It felt surreal, all the other shops were closed, there were less than normal amounts of people at the stores. I also noticed the thin amount of traffic on the roads. You could just sense something unspoken, the tension between people trying to keep their distance from each other. The store was nearly empty, unusual for a Wednesday afternoon, I kept expecting a big hairy corona virus monster, to jump out from behind a display and start chasing after me. I went in with my list wondering what I would or wouldn't be able to get.

Broccoli___________check
Baby spinach_____ check
Bread_____________ check
Becel margarine__ NONE
Beans ____________  check
Peas______________ NONE
Spaghetti sauce___ check
Soup_______________check
Dried cranberries_NONE
Fresh fruit________ NONE
Milk_______________NONE
Sunflower oil_____ check
Basil______________ NONE
Juice______________ NONE
Coffee_____________check
Bathroom tissues_ NONE

I got a few extras as well, there is a larger grocery store about ten minutes away so I went there and finished my list. The only things I wasn't able to buy were the bathroom tissues and oddly enough the basil. The toilet paper was also sold out in both stores but fortunately I have plenty. The first store had almost no meat left but the second store had plenty. I couldn't help feeling sorry for the workers, especially the cashiers. They are some of the few people who still have to work and they will deal with dozens and dozens of people every day.

I plan on going into hiding for two weeks now, hopefully Canada is ahead of this thing. I couldn't believe the people out who were coughing.. not only that but not covering their mouth. I also saw an elderly couple buying a few groceries, they were really elderly, possibly in their early nineties! I felt sorry for them, I was tempted to ask if they had children or grandchildren that could shop for them. People over eighty are in great danger from this virus, nearly 20% death rate, they shouldn't have been out.


33 comments:

Mistress Maddie said...

I am well shocked in everything. My ex and his partner got back Saturday from wait for it... Rome Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam!!!!!! They'd been over there for three weeks. I will have Buster for some time to come. No offense to them, but if someone has traveled I don't want near them...at least till they pass the allotted time frame. So far they feel fine.

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

I think going for the things you need and some extras would be a good idea?
I have everything I need for maybe two or three weeks. I can survive on canned goods for a few days. I really don't wanna go out. Seriously.
Hopefully you guys in Canada are ahead of this thing.
Ugh. So surreal.

XOXO

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Oh no! A basil shortage! THIS IS THE FINAL STRAW!

anne marie in philly said...

what is "Becel margin"?

Bob said...

I'll be working form home now.
Carlos works from home, too.
But since all our restaurants are take-out only now, we will venture out for a meal or two to support them until this, too, passes.

Mistress Maddie said...

I remember that butter well from my summers in Canada. It has a very nice buttery flavor of I recall.

HuntleyBiGuy said...

I’m wondering if your first grocer was out of so much due to the bigger stores getting priority. If so, that does not bode well for the smaller businesses. I hope they can survive this as it will be a huge loss.

It was a good idea to stock up. You can’t be caught short, especially in isolated areas. And I hope you continue to communicate with those you love and who love you. Including your “family” here.

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Maddie, I have a large freezer full of food, I actually joke with my friends that I'm a freezer hoarder. Time to start dipping into the supplies.
Yes keep Buster away for his safety!

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Sixpence, I was actually feeling afraid yesterday, part of the reason I went out. Depending on how things go, in another week it could be really bad or stable.

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Debra, well to be honest I was thinking about starting a riot but then I remembered social distancing so that would make it difficult to gather an angry mob!

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Anne Marie, I didn't notice auto correct changed margarine into margin sorry, lol. It's a special margarine that is supposed to be heart healthy. Not only that but it actually tastes good. Unlike other margarines that are full of trans fats and are less healthy than butter.

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Also Anne Marie, I think our Mistress is bored being stuck at home! I think the both of you got excited when I sad margin, you guys were probably hoping it was a new type of gin!!!! Hahaha! Joking, me wuv you guys!

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Bob, yes if you can work from home, that's the safest thing to do. Also good to support local businesses. Our economies unfortunately will nearly crash but it's either that or having massive deaths everywhere.

Sooo-this-is-me said...

HuntleyBiGuy, the smaller store has better prices and is also a discount type of store, so I assume people will go there first. The larger store sells only groceries so they would have more inventory. Plus their prices are higher resulting in less bulk buying.
I talk on the phone to people but it's not the same. Unfortunately this will have to go on for months.

Jimmy said...

So where is your boyfriend in all of this?

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Jimmy, I have to stay away from him for a little while but we are in constant communication.

RJ said...

My mother was a food hoarder. I'm not. I have food for a week or two, but I'm not worried about eating. I can always get take out. Can you work from home?

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Richard, living in the country we don't have the option of running to the store for everything so we naturally store up everything possible.
No my job is dead, I can't work from home. I'm basically out of a job and possibly permanently, so ouch!

"Tommy" said...

I am glad that you are sheltering in place and all is well

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Tommy, yes isolation is something that I do well! Lol

Jimmy said...

Well, Steven.....teach us a little phone sex.

Dave R said...

My Giant supermarket is out of toilet paper and bread, short on frozen foods, no frozen pizza, but plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. It's good I like to eat fresh.

Jimmy said...

Anyone heard from Deedles?

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Jimmy, what are you wearing big guy?

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Dave, toilet paper seems to be the only thing that they keep running out of. I saw families loading up huge packs of it, I think they must be reselling.

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Jimmy, hmmmm I noticed her absence and she's usually the first one here.

DEEDLES!!! DEEDLES!!! If you are just having down time, please type "hi" just to let us know you are okay please!!!

Deedles said...

Hi *cough, cough*. I'm fine, sort of. Sometimes I just don't have anything to say. I know, shocker.

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Okay good... we were afraid that something happened. Hugs!!!!!

Ur-spo said...

The elderly are also in jeopardy of social isolation and malnutrition. Poor souls.
It reminds me a Disney tun in which someone prays to G-d to help the outcasts as nobody will.

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Dr Spo, people around here have volunteered to bring food to the elderly. They leave it at their door so as not to make contact.

Hot guys said...

Soooo not surprised about the things that aren't available. I agree with you about supermarket workers, they have to deal with all kinds of people all the time but right now, we can just imagine what kinda situations happen over there. Everyone's nervous.

Sooo-this-is-me said...

Hot guys, yes and I heard an interview with a grocery store manager yesterday. She said people see each other and start chatting and chatting and chatting. She asked if people could just come in, get what you need and then pay and go. It's the safest thing to do.

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