We have two Walmarts in my little town. I did some shopping in one Saturday.

Contrary to popular postings on social media, I did not have to wear a mask to enter, although I did carry one in my jacket pocket in case it was needed. The employees all were wearing masks though.

Aisles are all now one way, clearly marked by signs and markings on the floors. Of course, this being Walmart, people were frequently ignoring all signs.

Lastly, for the first time ever, I had a shopping cart that didn't wobble, squeak or pull to one side. It made my trip easier and smoother, so I celebrated by buying a triple chocolate cake.

Life remains good here in the little town where I live.

At the last minute, my hours for next week were changed from working three days to not working at all.

More updates as they occur.

Effective Monday and for the next few weeks (from April 27 through the first week of June), my work week will be three days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). The exceptions will be May 11th and May 18th (both Mondays). I will be paid for Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day).

On the upside, some 4 day weekends (woo-hoo!) and the income I miss will be offset by the money I received from the stimulus package.

Life is fine. I will be fine.

Life rambles on.

~

At my age, it's o.k. to go out in public to most places alone.

The exceptions are bars and movie theaters.

Why?

Because of the preconceptions people have of an old man being somewhere where younger people are. God forbid you look at anyone for more than two seconds. The terms 'dirty old man' or 'pervert' come to mind.

It's rather sad. I always enjoyed going to those places by my self. Now, it makes me feel like Aqualung:


One saving grace is that during this pandemic, no one else can go to these places either.

I see where our prez is now going to halt immigration to protect jobs.

What?

Only temporary workers will be allowed in.

That's the same thing businesses are doing already, using temps at lower wages (and not having to pay benefits) to replace their staff.

Big business strikes again, sorrowfully during a national crisis.

I see the protests in my state wanting the governor to open up the state again. The protesters are usually grouped together.

My own personal opinion is that these people are in the minority. Most people are doing the 'social distancing' thing and taking added precautions to try to stay safe. I haven't heard but a few complaints.

I understand if someone has lost their job due to the outbreak. These are indeed tough times.

I can't help but hear a little voice in the back of my mind, telling me that these same people, should karma be listening, could invoke a rather tragic irony on those who aren't careful and could take out a bunch in one fell swoop.

I've said it before. In my case, being a bit of a loner anyway, being at home or alone doesn't bother me. Taking long walks alone only freshens my creativity as well.

Could these people be issuing a cry for help from loneliness?

I hate to invoke a tired, conservative cliche from the past, but I feel that 'staying the course' is our best bet here.

Doesn't matter a hill of beans what I think. I'm just concentrating on keeping myself alive.

End of rant.

~

Today I took my bank account online. I have done this before, but troubles arose when I couldn't remember my password.

Let me explain:

The bank decided, for security reasons at that time, that your password should be changed every month. I simply forgot to write down the one I had changed the last time. There were three security questions to answer to retrieve my password, but they must have been case sensitive, because even though I knew the answers, I couldn't get in.

So I let it go for a long time.

When I re-opened it today, I could see things have changed on their site. No more security questions. We shall see if they expect me to change my password again after a month.

~

A few months ago, I talked about a girl I went to high school with. To shorten a long story, she was in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend. I tried to help her out, even offering to drive to another town where she lives and take her away.

She finally said (after a week) that she had thrown him out and had gotten a restraining order against him. That was very good to hear, but then she asked me out on a date. Although I had harbored a crush on her since school, I declined. I knew it was too soon, that it would only wind up with her transferring her emotions onto me.

We have kept in touch, mostly through Facebook.

So last night I was chatting with her on Facebook, just joking around, when all of a sudden the tone of the conversation changed drastically. Her boyfriend had taken her phone away and started to threaten me. I told him we were just joking around, but I apologized and didn't want to interfere with them. He wanted me to (in his words) "not talk to her."

So fine. Then she sends me another message saying it's the same guy she was with a few months ago and she couldn't leave him, even though he still hit her all the time.

I signed off and left it alone for the night.

Today, I went back to Facebook and unfriended her and set it up to where I will no longer receive any contact with her again. Why was I so harsh? Last night I thought of the old saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Hard as it was to not get involved in the situation, I realized that if she went back to him, she knew what she was getting into. That says she's either not strong enough inside yet to get away, or she is punishing herself for God knows what reason.

I've said it time and again: I'm too old to let drama into my life any more.

I hope she realizes what she must do before it's too late and I know it's cold to say, but...

It is NOT my problem.

~

~

... interact with people the virtual way.


Whether it's dating or sex, your computer is a handy (pun intended) way to stay virus free.