DAY 17

I went to Kroger early this morning. I anticipated the store to be busy as I have heard reports of people lining up waiting to get in. I arrived at 7:30 and there were plenty of empty parking spaces so I took that as a good sign. When I walked in a young man asked me if I wanted a large or small cart and he cleaned the handle for me. Just inside the store a man was handing out toilet paper to anyone who needed it. One package of four per person. I took one for my aunt and cousin.

My list was pretty short, I just needed a few things and I had a list that my aunt texted to me. I found a decent selection of fresh produce, and everything else that we needed. I made a few impulse buys and left as quickly as I could. I was afraid that I would burst into tears before I got out of there. At least half of the people shopping were wearing masks. That and the general somber mood were enough to just about push me over the edge. I have been on the verge of tears for days anyway. I feel like we are living in a dystopian novel, right up there with The Handmaids Tale.

I recall hearing of a Russian diplomat who visited the United States and he was amazed at the abundant selection of food in the grocery stores. We have been spoiled for our entire lives, taking so much for granted. Now we are witnessing what is normal for people in many parts of the world. One bonus though, I filled up my car with gas at the Kroger station and paid $1.349 a gallon using my Kroger card points. Unbelievable!

When I got home Miss Nine was up, fed and ready to rock and roll. We spent some time in her classroom a.k.a. her bedroom. We read a Scholastic story about roller coasters, played a game that involved trying to engineer a roller coaster and then played some math games. Scholastic has some really cool things to offer kids right now at age appropriate levels. Check them out at https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/teaching-tools/articles/resources/scholastic-learn-at-home--free-resources-for-school-closures.html#

A couple of days ago we made some ornaments out of air dry clay. We used cookie cutters to make Easter shapes and hearts. Today they were ready for paint so that's what we did after lunch. We were quite happy with the results. We are going to hang them up along with our other spring decorations.

I took a nap while Miss Nine the Queen of Organizing shopped online at Ikea and The Container Store. When I woke up she had a whole list of things that she deemed necessary for the smooth running of our home. Mostly her room. She spent the rest of the day plotting how she is going to earn enough money to buy some of these items. I am sure she will think of something. She has operated several money making businesses already. A couple of years ago she raised about $600 for cancer research by selling two gallons of lemonade in front of our house.

I received a toilet paper delivery late in the afternoon. I've been buying from Who Gives A Crap for years. https://us.whogivesacrap.org/ It is bamboo toilet paper and they donate 50% of their earnings to build toilet facilities for those in need. I give a crap. I hope you do, too.