I see you- An Open Letter To Grocery Workers

Dear grocery workers,

I see you. You did not have that friendly smile on your face today as you were ringing up my groceries. It’s ok. I can only imagine your life right now. Though I fuss and cuss that I do not have a job to go to, I would not want to be in your shoes right now. 

You are essential. However, I do not see your titles in the headlines of the observer or news. I do not see businesses offering you free shoes to wear or free meals. Instead, I see customers arguing with you for not having an item in stock. I also notice the only thing protecting you from customers is a piece of plexiglass the size of a computer screen. 

I see you working endless hours filling orders for grocery deliveries and curb side pickup because others are afraid to risk their health while you are sacrificing yours.

Your hair is a mess and you simply did not feel like applying make up or shaving today. I get it. You are working overtime so everyone can go home to their families and pack their cupboards. You are tired, yet you are not complaining or asking for handouts.

You didn’t ask for this. You did not get up one day and say “I want to be a grocery store clerk”. No, you took a job because you needed an income. Your pay is on the lower end of the scale and you probably live paycheck to pay check. You had no idea you would one day be on the front lines of a pandemic war with a virus claimed to be so contagious that they shut down Churches, schools, beaches, and dental offices.

You come face to face with every person in the town not knowing if they are carrying a virus or a cold. 

I pray for you and all other essential workers every day. You sacrifice your health so others can stay safe. You are appreciated.

Thanks for all you do.

We see you.

Handling Social Distancing

I never thought I would live in a world where we would have to keep a 6 foot distance from people. But actually, I’m ok with that. I’m not real fond of people walking on my heels or breathing down my neck anyway. If I can hear you breathe or smell your cologne, then it’s to close for comfort for me. However, I never usually turn down a hug, no matter who it is.

Businesses are closing, so I feel so sorry for the employees. 

I know the feeling of panic setting in when there is no income. 

I know what it’s like to all of a sudden not to get up and go to a job you did for many years.

At least most people out of work can enjoy some time off, because they know they still have a job waiting for them when this crises ends. I on the other hand have lost hope in finding a job while this pandemic is going on. 

Restaurants are closed and only allowing curbside service or takeouts. We ended up with takeout Saturday night. This is still safe to do! Covid-19 is not found in foods. It attacks the respiratory system through contact with an infected person through cough, sneezes or droplets then touched on your face or in the air. 

If you get take out, make sure to tip them. It’s not the waitresses or cooks decision to close and they are all in this with us. 

Schools are closed leaving it up to the parents to home school their children. Some children are not safe at home. Some schools are closed for the rest of the year which interferes with sports and graduations. Keep the kids in mind. They are struggling and stressed like everyone else. As far as I know, teachers will continue to get paid. 

Churches are closing. I had to listen to my pastor give his sermon through facebook live. 

It was nice, but not the same. If your church is closed, remember churches still need tithes to keep the bills paid. We have drop off times at our church for those that wish to give or mail it in. 

We went to the grocery store today for our weekly shopping. There was no one hardly shopping and the shelves were bare. No bread, eggs, or milk.

Toilet paper was still gone but luckily we have enough to get us by a few weeks or so. As I turned the corner and saw more bare and broken shelves, I almost lost it and my eye filled with tears. It was so sad how life can change so quickly. There was not even any dry beans left, and what is Lentils?

We got enough foods to get us through a week or so. Hopefully we can go down to the beach soon, so we do not need to stock up too much. 

It’s not really all that bad around here, It’s just different. 

The good thing about this social distancing thing is that families might now eat together around the table. Parents can teach their children new things around the house like cooking, creating, cleaning and yard work. Dads can show their kids how to change the oil in a car or change a tire. 

Makes me think of the olden days. We are just back to the simple life for now and that’s not such a bad thing.

Hope everyone reading this is doing ok and you all are in my prayers!

St. Patricks Day☘️

Hope everyone had a nice St. Patricks Day.

In the wake of the Corona virus pandemic, they announced for North Carolinians to stay in and not go any place where there are groups of more than 10 people. 

All resteraunts have closed their doors for dining. They are keeping drive thrus open and you can call in orders for pick up.

Stores are now closing their doors to shoppers and are asking everyone to shop online and pick up at the stores. This all seems so weird. 

The weather was cool and misty during Most of the day. I was feeling bored, so I decided to make the best of St. Patricks Day by baking some green sugar cookies. 

They were delicious and were prefect for an afternoon snack. 

My house was smelling great as the aroma of the Corned beef brisket was drifting from the crock pot. It had to slow cook for 8 hours. We sat down to enjoy our traditional St. Patricks Day meal with corned beef and cabbage. I made a side of horseradish sauce for dipping. 

My daughter will usually come and enjoy St. Patricks Day dinner with us but with everything going on, we didn’t decide to cook until the last minute and she had forgotten it was even St. Patricks Day. We also hated to call her home in the chaos. We will be seeing her on Thursday as we go help her get moved into her new apartment. We are taking her some cookies. 

Guess who else was in the St. Patricks Day mood and put on their green coat?

Loui!

Loui is a lizard that lives in my shutters. He comes out for a chat when the temperatures are above 50. He will even let me pet him. He has been dark skinned all month until today. He decided to turn into a leprechaun.

Funny story: I walked out the other day and said “hey Loui” and three more lizards popped out of the shutters. Now I do not know which one is the real Loui and neither do they. Haha. 

How I Feel About it

There are no statistics or proven fact in this post. It is simply my own opinion. 

This Corona Virus (COVID-19) is all I have heard about on the media and news lately. Should it be taken serious? Yes, but here is how I feel about it. 

I am not worried about getting this virus any more than I worry about getting the flu. However, I could as easily get it as anyone. 

People are going crazy and going into panic. Why? Because the media is playing this thing up. I personally think it’s just another political plot and something for media to thrive on. 

The flu is killing way more people than this new Corona virus. To my understanding, It’s contracted the same way. Through being in contact with someone who has a fever and/or coughs close around you.

I am a somewhat a germ phoebe anyway, so I am always taking precautions. I keep my hands washed, I do not touch door handles, rails or buggy handles with my bare hands. If I have to, then I always have sanitizer. This does not mean I will not catch a virus or cold but it helps. Knock on wood, I have not been sick with a virus or cold in three years. Not to say other things haven't ailed me. 

It has crossed my mind many times that this is some sort of warfare test from another country, just to see how we would react in a crisis. So far the world has gone into a panic. Here in the US, we have closed schools, events, towns, churches and even Disney World. How can you close Disney World? This is with only a tiny percentage of people that have tested positive. You would think the sky is fixing to fall. People need to chill out and stop being manipulated by the media and politicians.

I still can’t figure out why toilet paper has become the biggest need during this crisis? Toilet Paper!!! Fortunately, we always stay stocked up on it, but this is just a luxury. Seriously. We have running water and washcloths. We can survive without toilet paper if we have to.

This is what our Walmart toilet paper isle looked like this week.

(Photo taken by my sweet friend)

Why is no one making food as much of a necessity? It snows and people buy up all the bread and milk. We have a pandemic and everyone needs toilet paper!?! 

I really hope everyone stays safe. Keep away from sick people and refrain from hugging or shaking hands for a few weeks. If you are sick or feel like your coming down with something, please stay away from public places as much as you can. There are elderly and babies that may have low immune systems and have the hardest time fighting off any sickness. 

I pray that everyone that contracts this virus or any other sickness has a fast recovery. I also pray for those who or have family in quarantine. I also hope people will go about their normal activities without living in fear. This too will pass.