Lynda Hammond
FitOver50+BLOG
Picture
  • Home
  • BLOG
  • About Lynda
  • LYNDA'S DAY
  • Contact

3/26/2020

Toilet Paper: Why Buying It Brings Us Hope & Comfort

1 Comment

Read Now
 
Picture
(Lynda squatting—so to speak-- on the deck at home)

Charmin
Squats!

Yay! Finally, toilet paper in the house! Bought some for us and for Mom & Dad!
I’ve been shopping for my parents—making sure they stay safe, healthy and inside during this social distancing.  It's incredible just how often and how many of us are buying toilet paper.
And, on Mom's list each time I’ve gone to the store? TP. But shelves have been empty.  I went to one place, stood in line just to get inside the store, then encountered another long line just to buy toilet paper. As I headed to that line, workers announced: “The toilet paper is now sold out.” Darn! So close!!

Picture
(Mom, 87 & Dad, 91- last summer, downtown Gilbert, AZ.)
Happy Parents
But today I went to Costco. Score!  And boy were Mom and Dad thrilled. When I arrived at their house, carrying the huge load from Costco, they cheered—from a safe distance behind the screen door, of course. They were so cute, really full of joy. You know you’re feeling blessed & grateful when you break out in applause for toilet paper!

Picture
Exercising with my Cushy Stash
So, before I “crack” open my toilet paper, thought I’d try it out for use during my overhead sumo squats! I kid. I just thought it’d make for a good pic. Felt cute, might delete later!
Panic Buying
All kidding aside there is an interesting reason TP has been the item to buy. We are “panic buying”.  One psychiatrist says we’re essentially using “retail therapy” as a way of coping. And get this—because some stores sell it in large packaging, like this Charmin—well, then stocking up is a way in which we can feel even more secure with control over our lives.
1973
And this isn’t our first run on toilet paper. There was one back in 1973.
We were in a gas shortage. In October of that year, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Companies (OPEC) proclaimed an oil embargo. In March, 1974 a barrel of oil had risen by 400%.
Johnny Carson
The toilet paper stock was fine, that is, until Johnny Carson delivered a joke about the run on TP. On his show on December 19, 1973: “There is an acute shortage of (shakes his head, grimaces) of toilet paper.”.
What do you find comforting?
Listen we are all scared. This pandemic is unprecedented in the United States. None of us knows when it will end. We all have to do whatever it is that makes us feel better. If that means buying personal hygiene items--then do it! But just know we will get through this soon and just imagine how incredibly grateful we'll all be!
Aside from toilet paper, what would give you the most comfort these days to bring home from the store? Candy, cookies, a good meal, a puppy!? Please share your ideas below. I really want to hear them! I’ll start. For me, it would be chocolate candy!
Make it a great--and safe & healthy day!
 


Share

1 Comment

3/22/2020

Venturing out: Going to grocery stores in quarantine times

2 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture


​
​Winter in Arizona

Went from wearing a winter coat and gloves to a long-sleeved t-shirt & shorts. That’s Arizona weather—at least that hasn’t changed.
So, it’s Friday when I opt to leave the house.
First, a walk in the ‘hood with the girls, Millie & Roxy.
Then, stores, gas station and parent’s house.
On the seat next to me, I bring along a trusty passenger--a box of rubber gloves. 

Picture
Wow!
​The experience is challenging, even a bit frightening.
I arrive at Walmart—a 24-hour location—I’m bummed—a huge line. It’s only 6:30 AM. The line stretches the entire length of the front of the store—equal to a huge city-block.
I’m perplexed, curious. I can’t figure out why we’re all standing there.
Crowd control inside the store?  Senior-time only? Then I see a hastily scribbled sign: “Temp. hours: 7-7”.
Shortened hours, I guess, due to less merchandise and to allow for stocking.
So, I wait in the freezing temperatures, happy I bundled up and put on my winter coat.
I have no other choice but to wait. You see, Mom needs (gasp!) toilet paper. 
Thirty minutes later, the doors open and ahhh, I’m inside. Yay!
Workers are pointing to yet another line:
“Get in this line if you want to buy toilet paper.” It reaches out the door and to the back of the store. But just as soon I scurry over there, another announcement: “The toilet paper is now sold out!”.
I buy what I can, check myself out and head to Sprouts where I’m not sure what to expect. No line but most of the customers here are wearing masks, gloves, keeping their distance and even avoiding eye-contact.
I smile at people. Knowing that if I get one back, I will feel a better, a little more at ease. I do get a few. 

Picture
Picture
Easy Breezy
Then Costco for gas. This is a breeze.
But the store itself which opens in two hours has lines already, hundreds and hundreds are waiting. At least five parking lot aisles are packed with people standing in line to go in the store. I snap some pics.
Picture
Mom & Dad’s
On the phone earlier, I explain to Mom: Don’t open the door.  If I’m a carrier of Coronavirus, you might easily get it from me.
So, instead I wave to Mom and Jerry who are watching me unload the car from their living room window.
First, I use a disinfectant spray & paper towels to wipe off some of the items, then put everything on a bench by their front door. I add a little surprise treat, knowing it'll give them a little spark of happiness.
We “meet” at their kitchen window. This is where they usually hang out inside their home--sitting at the table eating, doing crossword puzzles & reading.
We wave to each other; talk a little bit and I snap some pics.
Home, Sweet Home
Then, after almost 4 hours—a trip that normally might take two, at most—I’m back home again.
Kevin asks: “How was it?”
So, I recap. I didn’t mind standing in line, the freezing temperatures, the social distancing, the masks, the gloves, the bare store shelves, no toilet paper—again!
No problem.
What bothered me most?
The 2nd-hand cigarette smoke. Smoke was coming at me from all angles as I waited for Walmart to open.
Chances are—sadly--that might kill a person before the Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, leave it to Mommy to add a little levity to my day. God, I love her. She texts me later: “Thank you, Lynda for going to the store for us. And thanks for the chocolate bars.  Running out of chocolate has been a disaster, too!”
Chocolate. Yep, that was my surprise for Mom and Dad.
So, have you been to the store lately? Let me know what it’s like for you!

Make it a great—and safe & healthy-- day!
Picture

Share

2 Comments
Details

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019

    Categories

    All
    Abs
    Ab Workouts
    Alcohol Poisoning
    Anti-oxidants
    Beer Allergy
    Best Dark Chocolate
    Best Pumpkin Bread Ever
    Bone Broth
    Bridge Benefits
    Building Muscle For Seniors
    Build Muscle For Good Health
    Candy Conversation Hearts
    Cannabinoids
    Charmin
    Chewy Cherry Hearts
    Chocolate
    Chocolate And Strawberry Heart
    Chocolate Candy
    Christmas Shopping
    Cinnamon Hearts
    Clean Eating
    Coffee
    Colonoscopy Results
    Coronavirus
    Costco Lines
    Costco Toilet Paper
    Covid19
    Dairy
    Eggs
    Endocannabinoid
    Eosinophils
    Exercise For Older People
    Fit Baker
    Fit Over 50 Plus
    Food Allergies
    Food Allergy
    Food Intolerances
    Fruits And Vegetables
    Gas Shortage
    Gastroenterologist
    Going To The Store
    Good Balance
    Good Chocolate
    Growing Hair
    Gymathome
    Gym Equipment
    Gymwithaview
    Hair Loss
    Healthy Cacao
    Healthy Chocolate
    Healthy Chocolate Chips
    Healthy Chocolate Powder
    Healthy Dark
    Healthy Hair
    Healthy Nails
    Healthy Protein Powder
    Healthy Pumpkin Bread
    Healthy Skin
    Hemp
    Holistic Remedies
    How To Grow Hair
    Love Thy Neighbor
    Neighbor
    Nordic Track
    Nuts
    Opec
    Pandemic
    Peanut M&ms
    Personal Hygene Products
    Plank Benefits
    Plank Holds
    Protein
    Protein Baking
    Protein Powders
    Protein Pumpkin Bread
    Pumpkin Bread
    Quarantine
    Relieve Back Pain
    Relieve Menopause Symptoms
    Relieve Menstrual Cramps
    Run On Toilet Paper
    Russell Stovers
    Scottsdale Arizona
    Senior Exercise
    Seniors Should Build Muscle
    Sleep
    Social Distancing
    Sprouts
    Store Shelves
    Strengthen Core
    Stretching
    Superstition Mountains
    Superstitions
    Suprep
    The Bridge
    The Ohio State University
    The Plank
    Toilet Paper
    Treadmill Running
    Tummy Issues
    Valentines Day
    Valentine's Day Candy
    Veggies And Fruits
    Vintage Valentine's Day Cards
    Walmart Lines
    Ways To Build Muscle For Seniors
    White Blood Cells
    Whole Foods
    Yoga
    Yogi
    Zen
    Zen Poses

    RSS Feed

    Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • BLOG
  • About Lynda
  • LYNDA'S DAY
  • Contact