Conversations

OK, that's better.  For a minute, the HTML button was pushed and all kinds of gobbledy-gook was appearing.

Today's post is kind of about talking to strangers, because I spent a lot of time today talking to strangers.  But it starts with, and comes back to me and Miss June, which is sometimes like speaking to a wall.

I needed to go out today for some things; namely gas and rib rub.  As I'm getting ready to leave, I asked June:  "I'm going to Sam's Club.  Do we need anything?"

Her:  "I am going out later.  I'll get it at Smith's"

As I said, I had to go get fuel for the car, so I went to Sam's club because it's about 14¢ a gallon cheaper than anywhere else.  BTW, it's work to get that cents sign in there.  Used to be on the main keyboard, but now that a candy bar costs more than a dollar, what's the point?  Anyway, I digress, but you should ought to be used to that by now.

Today I was getting said fuel and the woman fueling up on the other side said "It's cold out here."  I don't think she was talking to yours truly.  I think she was freezing.  I thought it was nice out.  Later I would take my coat off.  The sun was shining up here today.  So I waited a minute and replied with a polite "Yes, ma'am", and went about my knitting.

She started talking to herself after that, a sure sign to me that the loud statement wasn't meant to strike up a conversation.  It slipped out. 

I think.

At any rate, we didn't carry on a conversation.  She got her gas and left.  I followed suit.  I just thought it was funny and at the same time, I wondered how many times I've done that in my life.  I think out loud.  A lot.

Second story.  I found some ribs on sale at the commissary last night.  Alas, when I went to the cupboard to get rib rub, the cupboard was bare so after fueling up, it was off to Apple Creek amish store in Willard for rib rub.  Theirs is the best.  Or so says I, anyway.

When checking out, the young lady at the register said:  "You only bought one thing."

Me:  "I only needed one thing.  There are lots more things I'd like to have, but I only need one thing."

Her:  "You have way more self-control than I have."

Well, when you have a finite amount of money, you only buy what you need.

I am divesting myself of pussycats.  I put Lilee (I see no reason to collect my ex-girlfriend/ex-wife's abandoned pets) on KSL.  A woman texted me and told me she was looking for a cat for her son.  I told her Lil wasn't going to be a good fit but gave her first dibs on the kittens.  She texted me today about it again, then I spoke with her son's girlfriend about it.  Finally, I agreed to meet them in Bountiful with two.  They chose the little tom cat.  He's a cutie, and a stinker.  He'll make a good pet for the kid.

I used to be uncomfortable talking with people I don't know.  Now, it's not so bad to me.  You want a pussycat?  Give me a call.  I'll talk your ear off....but you have to take a cat or three.  I would do anything to not have to talk to strangers on the phone.  I used to pawn it off on my ex.  One of the circumstances I have had to deal with in being alone for almost seven years is learning to talk to strangers.  Nobody to make my phone calls for me.  I have to do it myself and it turns out it's not as scary as I used to make it.

I'm overcoming shy.

The next conversation I can tell you about was between me and the downstairs roomie.  It had to do with ridding ones' self of something from the past.  There are a lot of details that I can't share (what else is new?) but he asked me a question I had to ask God the other day....

"Is He doing something we're not seeing?" is what the roomie asked me.  As far as I can tell, that answer is "No".  I did ask God.  I still think I'm on the right track, as I type this sitting next to the wine cooler in the sitting room I fixed up last year, as Lilee the cat intently watches my fingers mash the keyboard of my woefully out of date laptop.  Tom and Jerry are hanging out in the other room, which kinda reminds me that maybe even that thing from the past is even pointing to what I think I should be looking for.

But with the way the week has been, I did ask.

Anyway,   back to where I started:  Me and Miss June.  I get home.  We need cat food and milk.  Really?  I was at Sam's where we buy cat food today.  So off I go again.  Somehow "I will get it later at Smith's." turned into why didn't you get it the first time you were out?  But I did find some good deals on stuff I need and always buy.  And then we were out of ketchup too, and there was a $1 off coupon for either two ketchups, two mustards, or two Oscar Meyer hot dogs, , which were on sale for buy one, get one free.  She eats the hot dogs.  I can't anymore.

So not a wasted second trip, but one that reminds me that no matter how many conversations I have with Miss June, I still don't speak "Old Lady".