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.