Friday BLAST

                                  "Senior Hours"

        One of the unique shifts in our daily lives during this pandemic has been the creation of "Senior Hours" by local grocery stores.  Because we Seniors are among the "most vulnerable," the thought is that by providing "special hours" in the store, it will help protect Seniors from contamination.   No doubt a good idea.  However, Stop and Shop, our personal (nearby and favorite) grocery store, used to open at 7:00 a.m.  now, in consideration of "Seniors," they have instituted "special hours" for those 60 years old and above: from  6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
               
                  For about 6 weeks now I have going to the Wilton and Norwalk Stop and Shops, starting at 6:00 a..m.  on Monday or Tuesday mornings, availing myself of the "Senior Hours."  As the pandemic isolation has dragged on, I have found that I'm in the store with fewer and fewerSeniors.  AND, recently, I believe I have observed some, at best, borderline "Seniors" shopping in the Norwalk store!  Have they no shame?

                 Having gotten used to a "relaxed" rise-and-shine schedule since retiring (sleeping until 8 or even 9:00 a.m.), this shift back to the 5:30 a.m. alarm has been a little unsettling, to be sure, but having relatively free rein in the grocery store has been (almost) fun and, except for the shortage of certain products (disinfectants, paper products, etc.), I realize that what used to be a daily routine (picking up groceries) can be done once a week and, aside from the "sticker shock," is actually quite practical.  Not being able to run to the store for an impulse buy or to pick up something you may not really need has provided some new insights into my own behavior --- and probably for the better.

                                                             Stay home.   Stay safe.   Enjoy the weekend.

p.s. - for those Billy Joel fans, I apologize but please note: aside from "New York State of Mind," I am distinctly not a fan of America's Paul McCartney" (who I am also not a big fan of!).....