Picture Perchers

 

This morning I posted a package containing a couple of gifts along w/ a Christmas card for the family.  I got a tracking number for the package and a notification that it should arrive on Friday this week.  We'll see.  That was the first stop for the day.   Next was Recycling to drop off plastic bottles and flattened cardboard boxes.  Had to brush snow off each of the bins before I could get them open.  Rewarded myself w/ a stop at Cabin Coffee for a latte and danish.  I hadn't had breakfast but they could be warmed up for an afternoon nosh.  Hobby Lobby wasn't very busy.  Probably because of the cold and wind that was plastering windshields and windows w/ snow.  Found two mats for the front entry and stood in line behind a lady who was explaining in detail about the year all of the family expected Christmas at her place but she was in the hospital having a baby boy.   I asked if she had named the child "Noel".  She looked at me blankly and replied, "No, Austin."  So much for humor.  Next stop Farm and Fleet.  Again, very few shoppers so got the things I needed  quickly.  It's the only store where the cashiers always ask if I need help putting my bags of dog food/cat food/ bird food, etc. in my car.  A nice gesture but figure if I can pick them up to put in the cart, I can pick them up again to put in the car.   Off to the grocery store.  The store pushes the self-checkout option but I've never been able to do it w/ out making some sort of mistake.   Might as well go to a cashier in the first place.  This cashier asked if I wanted plastic or paper.  "Paper" I said surprised, "I didn't know that was an option here and I'm running out of paper bags at home."  Before I left the bagger grabbed a few more paper bags and stuffed them in along side my groceries.  "Merry Christmas."  he said.   Picked up some lunch and stopped at a little park on the way out of town.  While I ate, I listened to the end of an audio book and gazed out over a frozen lake.   My errands completed and it's not even noon yet.   Life is good.