Notes from the checkout ( aka raves from the checkout)

'Twas the weekend before Thanksgiving and hordes of shoppers descended upon the grocery store. I worked as fast as I could typing in codes, scanning items, bagging groceries, and handling money, all while fighting back pain--when whom to my wondering eyes did appear, an auditor with no case of beer. She had me ring up a basket of groceries and when it was time to pay she told me, "I'm an auditor, just void the items and put them back." She had also hidden some items that I didn't catch in a spot I'd never think to look and had never been told to look. I'm not telling what because I don't want to give anyone any ideas. Growl, way to ruin my already stressful day! Fortunately after that it was lunch time and I ran into the boss. He said not to worry about it; it wasn't on her report. Hmmm, maybe she was messing with my mind.

I had several nice customers and then came a lady with her school-age daughter. The daughter was unloading the shopping cart and I told her she didn't have to unload the giant box of heavy logs. I could get the code. The lady snapped, "I'll handle my daughter." I replied that I had just spoken to her daughter the same way I would speak to any adult. I don't want them to hurt their back or mine. Growl! I was in trouble for treating a child like a human being.
It's going to be a long holiday season. Thanks to Clement C. Moore, I think. There's a controversy over who wrote the lines I borrowed from Night Before Christmas.

Retreat time

It is time for my yearly three-day retreat close to the anniversary of my father's death. It is a time to mourn and remember, a time to pray and to write. The sky darkens early and the light from the sun is muted. Here in Seattle the rainy season arrives. I went to church today and sat before the crucifix where God has answered my impossible cause prayers many times. He has brought me healing in both mind and relationships, impossible causes. Now I remember my father and pray about my current intentions. They seem hopeless to me but God has helped me time and time again. I'm not going to go in detail here because I don't want the family I am worried about to be easily identifiable. Suffice it to say that there is a young family in deep trouble and I cannot by my love carry them out of danger. I wish that love would be enough but I can change no one. I can't believe for anyone else. I can't seek mental health help for anyone else. I cannot take the father of this family and rock him and make it all better like I could when he was a baby and I watched him while his parents were at work. He is an adult now with adult choices. He has to live with the consequences of his own behavior. But then...there is the cross and the one who hears my prayer.

October Day in Paradise

Sitting in a sunbeam
on a sofa
sipping tea.
Kitty on my lap,
purring.

Contemplating seasons

Each day as I walk with Lady the tree colors are different. There is more orange and red intermingled with the green. The days grow colder and the last hot days of summer have come and gone. I hear a lot of complaints about it from my customers but there are others who like the cool crisp days of fall. There are the smells of hot apple cider and pumpkin pie or the newer scent of pumpkin spice lattes. There is something to be said about the rhythm of seasons. They give me a sense of the continuity of life. Leaves turn red then fall. Barren leaves of winter give way to the buds of spring. The lush foliage of summer changes back to red and the cycle begins again.

A Freethinking Dog

I just finished Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog. I love dog stories. This past year I've read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (P.S.) and
The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel.
Merle's Door is about a dog and a man who find each other on a camping trip and their life together. Ted Kerasote, the author, portrays Merle as a thinking, feeling creature. When Mr. Kerasote installs a dog door he gives Merle freedom. They live in an area where dogs are not leashed or fenced. Merle makes the rounds of the small town every day and becomes known as the "mayor" who must meet and greet all his constituents. I thoroughly enjoyed Merle's Door and was sad when it ended as our own dog stories do with aging and death.

notes from the checkout

Last week a brand new grocery store in a brand new building opened across the street from us. It's beautiful, glitzy, and on staple items pricey. Our store was relatively quiet last week since everyone was across the street. I think the assistant manager did a good job scheduling us. It wasn't crazy busy but it wasn't totally dead either. Some of the customers who came into our store had been across the street told us that we don't have a lot to worry about. Sure, their sales are good but the things people buy every day are more expensive. We'll see what happens after all the excitement dies down. Our boss told us to give the best customer service possible (which we should be doing anyway) to keep our customer base coming back to us.

How Can I Keep From Singing?

I've given up on my women's spirituality group. I haven't liked any of the book selections so far. Yes, I know I'm picky, but long ago as a bookseller I decided that with the limited time I have in this life I want to read books I like. I confess, I am a book snob. Hmmm, the church choir practices on the same night that the spirituality group meets. I love singing and I've really missed singing with the choir after being out for a year.
Today was our choir's first day back after summer vacation. It feels so good to be back singing with my friends and getting my voice into shape again. Singing is like flying, it makes my heart soar. There is the discipline of practice but the joy makes it well worth the work.