Dale did a commissary run today for the first time since all this started. He used to go twice a month for the basics, supplementing with specialty items at local stores. Commissaries are operated for military personnel, but retirees and family members with proper military ID can also use them. We save about 30 percent when we shop there. The closest one to us is about a 30-minute drive.
Yes, distance to commissary was on my retirement location spreadsheet!
Although we are in good shape supply-wise, he wanted to recon when we didn’t necessarily need anything as sort of a test. The commissary now requires masks, so that tipped in our favor.
When he got back, Dale said military people are great. “They want you to wear a mask? Done! No whiners.” He went right when they opened, and it wasn’t crowded. It was easy to keep his distance.
Dale said they were out of the same things everyone else is out of but otherwise well-stocked. He bought charcoal, Irish butter, eggs, onions, cheese, mayonnaise and my beloved Trop 50 orange juice. For some reason, that stuff is hard to find. Oh, and back-up to the back-up peanut butter. Which means more of those delicious cookies. How can I not?
If all goes well, Dale is back on the clock as supply chain manager. For me, it was a good run but good riddance. He is much easier to get along with when he has a mission. Pandemic Dale is kind of a drag. Pandemic Donna is no prize, either. We’ve been married 41 years, and this is the first time I ever asked myself why? But then there are moments when we feel closer than ever.
Maybe everyone is feeling it, because people around here are starting to act like the virus is gone. That scares us. Our county has low numbers, and I hope they are right, but we’re not banking on it. We continue to be cautious, and so far, nobody has hassled us. I read where people in some parts of California are saying rude things to those who wear masks, like, “You believe this hype? You’re nothing but sheep.”
All I have to say to that is baa.
Restaurants are opening, but we have no intentions of going. We hardly went pre-pandemic. We might loosen up a bit on short visits to the grocery store, but with masks, social distancing and hand-washing. There’s no place we need to go or want to go that requires us to linger inside.
The only other thing we miss are the wineries. It’s so nice to taste before you buy. And it’s usually a lovely drive out to the vineyards. We hardly ever purchase wine in a store anymore.
I’m not sure how the tasting rooms will re-open. We have been plowing slowly sipping our way through the inventory and look forward to replenishing the rack. In good pandemic news, I accidentally opened a bottle of late harvest Zinfandel. It’s more of a dessert wine, which we don’t typically drink. We must have purchased it on a whim.
I didn’t want to waste the wine, so I put a vacuum seal on it and stuck it in the fridge. I thought about making sorbet but chickened out. Then I decided to start drinking a small glass as an aperitif, perhaps as some drink Port at happy hour? This particular late harvest Zin is not super-sweet and went beautifully with some aged cheddar as an appetizer. Delicious.
So, wine remains to be seen. But if Dale can safely do a commissary run with supplemental trips to the local store, and if I can play golf, this marriage might be saved.
I’ve been divorced for so long that I call myself single. And I mostly like living alone. But during this pandemic, I must admit that it’s been a challenge. On the other hand, my sister has been married for 50 years and she is seriously frustrated with her husband, who is not adjusting well to being at home so much. On our frequent phone calls, we each remind the other about the challenges of the alternate way of life. Commissary sounds great. I’m leery of grocery stores now because so many people have abandoned all thought of social distancing, believing that the danger is behind us. While I hope (wish) they are right, I don’t agree at all.
My sister is single and always has been. She says she couldn’t be married at this point because she can’t compromise. Plus, she hears all the griping from her married friends! Our favorite store (other than the commissary) requires masks and people have been good about keeping their distance. If any of that changes, we’re outta there. I agree. This is not over.
It’s so hard to believe people are just thinking this pandemic is over and it’s all cool now. I’m seriously concerned about a second wave and am seriously continuing to build up the prepper pantry. BTW, I just got my order from Darci Kent. You should check them out. They have a tasting room in ?San Jose? no, somewhere in wine country. But the sales they’ve been having are great. We’ve been married almost 50 years and tolerate each well … I ahem, I mean we know how to avoid each other when necessary. Plus, he spends as much time outside as possible. I think I’d faint if he thought of going to the grocery store alone. 🙂
Our neighbors had a party in their driveway. I could hear them talking about going to church. I just don’t get it.
I looked up the winery! It’s in Livermore. I’ll have to go back and check out the website.
We mostly tolerate each other well, but there are days. I do think he will be much happier if he can go to the store a little more often. Such a small thing, but it means a lot to him.
Your Pandemic Dale & Pandemic Donna was hilarious. Same going on with us 2.
Indeed, this is hard on relationships. Maybe it’s better that we’ve been together so long. I would think newlyweds might be in an even tougher position. We’re kind of like that insurance commercial. We know a thing or two, because we’ve seen a thing or two.
Yeap, going on 36 years for us.
Ditto
Oops! Got my ditto under the wrong message…thought your Pandemic Dale and Donna was funny. We’ve been married over 48 years and mostly get along great. But over two months of even more togetherness than usual and fewer distractions is likely to get to anyone eventually. I figure one very grumpy day out o& two months isn’t really too bad. 😅
My guy is making masks for everyone and anyone. I miss my sewing machine a bit, but I’m glad he’s quit reading the news in favor of making masks. We went to the store together for the first time in months. I don’t know why people have to be so rude. What business is it of theirs if I choose to go with the health guidelines. Grow up!
After reading your walking post, I realized I do pretty much everything you said not to do even down to banging on a car hood or two. Just can’t help myself.
I laughed out loud over the banging on a car hood or two. The only reason I know people do not take kindly to it is because, um, well, yes, I’ve done it. I thought one guy followed me home, so after that I quit.
I love that your husband is making masks! Way better than the news.
When at the grocery store, I see more people with masks than not. They are not required. And I really like the way they have an “X” or an arrow to make aisle traffic flow in the same direction, makes sense to me. But the thing that really confuses me, and it happens every time – I see a person, with a mask on (and sometimes gloves too) going down the aisle in the “X” direction???
I do look forward to going to the grocery store without a mask. In the mean time, it’s rather nice that they always have a cleaned, wiped down cart just waiting for me. I always had to do that myself before!
I do love the wiped down cart! Our store hasn’t changed the traffic flow, but I’d be OK with that.
Like Nina, I’ve been divorced so long that I call myself single. It’s easy to say you’re a nice person when you live by yourself! There’s just me, myself & I. Yes, I, myself, can get fed up with me. I’m trying to be kind to myself. My biggest curtailment is the socializing over games and food and listening to live music. Outdoor gatherings of 50 with social distancing are now allowed; visions of a yard concert dance through my head. Donna, you and Dale seem like a good team.
I think being kind to ourselves is the most important thing we can do. Sometimes it’s even harder than being kind to others.
Thanks for the comment about me and Dale. We are a good team. I think anyone who says they never disagree or argue with their partner is delusional.