Wednesday, April 09, 2008

At a Snail's Pace

It was rainy again this morning, totally unexpected to me. When I opened an eye early on, I saw the darkness in the window and just went back to sleep. I should have just made myself get up and get moving. I've been in slow-mo all day because I didn't.

I knew the last time we were in Fairhope that soon would come the April showers. So when I caught a glimpse of the Bopsy Twins in a little shop, I knew I had to bring them home to Tennessee. They were very excited to get out and finally use those umbrellas they had been holding up for so long. I could almost see a smirk appear when the first raindrop hit the yellow one. It was then that I spied the tiniest of snails making his way across the rock--antennae raised and trying to find his way back onto the damp mulch.

Needing some groceries, I decided to drive into Nashville and hit the quasi-new Whole Foods market. I had been by it a month or so ago but had other things on my agenda with no time to spare. This morning, I had all the time in the world to go through each isle and take it all in. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. First of all, they have garage parking. For those of us coming from a metropolitan area like Washington, DC to small-town-America Nashville, it's the little things you miss. I was giddy pulling into the multi-level parking garage and making my way back up the stairs to the street level. It almost felt foreign to me with a hint of familiarity. To be exact, it reminded me of our little Sutton Place Gourmet in Old Town Alexandria. Of course, there was no parking to be had on the tiny streets; and they built a garage just for the store. You would roll your buggy into the elevator, shop and then hit the elevator back down to unload your goodies. (I'm sad to say there is no more Sutton Place up there.) It's been seven years since we moved here. It's hard to explain the feeling exactly to those who have been in one place or the other all of their lives--to lose all that has been familiar to you all of your life. Again, it's the little things that excite me while experiencing little Nashville growing up. They even have a lovely garden shop, very European looking, on the sidewalk which is where I snapped this beautiful fuchsia.

{RANT ON} I don't need to tell you, but I will, that I spent several hours going up and down the isles, enjoying everyone's fresh faces and some, but not all, of the young families strolling along side of me. I have to ask though, what is with those HUGE boat-sized CAR buggies that you strap your kids into these days? Lord have mercy. I'm not talking about the cute little one seaters that sit in front of a regular buggy. The one above is half the size of the ones I saw today! Seriously. These are the new SUV-styled, double wide with back seats! I kid you not. And the ones driving these things shouldn't be allowed to drive, anything, period! What is it with these self-absorbed (although admittedly beautiful) young mothers that don't have a lick of sense in their pretty little heads? "Oh, I own the world, you don't, so move, get out of my way." Lord have mercy. Yes, I suppose the beauty has gotten them this far, why bother being a conscientious human being now that they have kids? The kids seem to be more of an accessory to them than a precious child. Truthfully, what ever happened to having your school-aged children walk beside you and actually help with shopping? No, tie them down in one of these things so they never learn how to socialize with the general public. Yea, that's the way to do it! Don't even get me started; but obviously I already have. And who thought of those huge monstrosities to make their children as self absorbed as they are? Probably some pretty young mother, self absorbed in her own life, no doubt. Now, I totally get the little baby carts that the young ones can push around. Those are easily avoided; but the SUV buggies that take up an entire isle should have never found their way into the grocery stores. These people are bad enough with a regular sized cart. (And need I add the same ones driving the gas-guzzling Hummers and SUVs of the world, no doubt?) Would I have used one of these bigger-than-life buggies when my kids were small? Well probably once. I have to admit, put me behind the wheel of a car, and I am one of the best drivers you have seen (if I do say so myself); but the minute I try and drive a grocery cart, watch out world. I bump into the corners of the isles when I turn too hard, I hit displays with alarming regularity. God only knows the damage I'd have done if I had ever attempted to drive one of those boats! Regardless, I never would have parked one in the middle of the store and held up grocery traffic like the ones of today. Geesh. {RANT OFF} AS the kid would sing, "Cranky Rosie, she needs to take a nap."

Anyway, in spite of the pretty young thangs, I thoroughly enjoyed my shopping spree. I found lots of new products, especially lots of Indian spices that I love and cannot wait to try out. I stocked up on my lentils as I am totally craving some dahl to go with whatever Indian spread I come up with. They even had these cardboard boxes to put your bags in so they don't fly around the back. Too cool.

Once I got home, put everything away and fed mom, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror. It was then that I noticed I have my t-shirt on inside-out. Lord have mercy. My saving grace? I had a sweater on in public! Now, if I had not, I would have given those pretty mothers credit for trying to run me over looking as disheveled as I did. Admittingly, I didn't belong next to them. lol. I crack myself up sometimes. Actually, a lot of the times. I never was one of the pretty little things but it's rare that I am this bad! Obviously, it seems I don't spend enough time in front of a mirror these days. I had a dear friend when I worked at USA TODAY who used to look at someone who didn't have it quite pulled together and say, "Obviously, she doesn't own a mirror."

All I can do today is blame it on the rain.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

hold it.... when i did i miss the fact that you mom or you MIL lives with you? is that right? or am i getting myself confused. i have to laugh at the wearing your shirt inside out and not owning a mirror.. even though i do own a mirror and i am vain i often don't look in the mirror until i have already gone to the store and been out in public. honestly you would be shocked at how i go out sometimes!. i just forget! i don't even do it on purpose! i just get all caught up in what i am doing and then look up and see....OMG! i have only a dried up caked on smear of lipstick, my hair is all standing up in back cause i have developed a cowlick and the mascara is well all over my cheeks. seriously bad. sigh... i will try harder hearing your story cause i don't really want to come home anymore and realize i have my shirt on inside out.. it is embarrassing :)

i bet you actually look pretty cool with your shirt backwards. like a little punk or something cool like that :)

Peggy said...

I have a sweatshirt that says "if this shirt is dirty I have already fed the goats". Needless to say the comments are always: you fed the goats! I am usually a mess but at least the goats don't seem to mind. :) love your little rain people.

Linda said...

I once got home after being out all day and looked down at a new shirt I was wearing that I had purchased the day before at Old Navy and saw the stick on thingie on my chest which proclaimed to the world: XXL

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Here, it is also raining cats and dogs since days! I can't wait to see the sun and to enjoy a bit of spring's warmth...

I'd love to visit that store...

Cheers,

Rosa

kansasrose said...

Honey..try wearing your Nike shorts inside out to wal*m*rt and all day with out realizing it until you get home and the daughter asks..."hey ma when did you start wearing your shorts inside out?" been there...I would love to shop at a Whole Foods. The closest one to us is Denver I think...500 miles west. sigh.

kansasrose said...

just thought..no one would probably notice inside out clothing at W*mart. LOL

Beth said...

LOL,,,I love this post,,,I freakin hate those #*$# carts. I have been complaining about them forever!!! Yeah, them same beautys who run you off the road with the SUVs that they drive(move outta my way, I must get to my facial appointment now) are the same ones that invented the SUV mow you down shopping carts....
LOL,,,dying laughing here!!
xoxoxoxoxooxox

Vallen said...

Our Whole Foods has the same lovely service for parkeing and retrieving groceries and it does remind me of when were kids and most grocery stores loaded the bags in the car for you. But I, too, avoid the place for the very reasons you mentioned. I don't need no haughty chicks. And then the PBS crowd? More than I want to deal with at a grocery store

Shelley said...

I love Whole Foods and could spend all my grocery money there on just a few items..especially their bread.

Jeanie said...

Rant on! I hate those stupid kid carts. Hate 'em!

Don't feel bad about the shirt. You are not alone. (But how come no one ever tells you? I ask, am I so insignificant no one even looks carefully enough to notice?!)

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