After considerable reflection, deliberation and more than a few ponders, I have reached the conclusion that it’s the little things in life that are really the important things. They are also the things responsible for the soaring divorce rate, the prevalence of road rage, the large attendance at anger management seminars and the spike in the sales of high blood pressure medications. I’ve known relationships that survived more than one major disaster. Cancer and bankruptcy just brought one couple I know even closer. They are now divorced, what did it? He left his socks on the bedroom floor every night instead of putting them in the hamper. Eight years of this form of Chinese water torture and his wife went postal. I am one of the most even tempered reasonable people I know but there are things that just plain annoy me to the point where I want to slap on an eye patch, raise the Jolly Roger and start looking for a plank. For example, I went on my daily excursion to the super market. I spotted a parking place within sight of the market and started to pull in only to discover a shopping cart. The cart corral where you are supposed to put the carts after you’ve unloaded your bags into your car was three spaces away. I got out, moved the cart, got back into my trusty Kia and parked. On the way into the market, I was almost over by a car pulling into the handicap space. Out jumped a twenty something guy who ran into the market. I saw him later in the market pushing a cart with two cases of beer in it. I looked for an artificial limb or some other obvious sign of a handicap, none were obvious. I could feel that dark thing that lives in my stomach move a little. I went to get a cart, pulled out a likely looking one, checked the tires and started off. One of the front wheels had a bad wobble that shook the whole cart, I took it back and made another choice. I started down the nearest aisle loading the cart with the things on my list and one of the back wheels stopped turning and just slid. The dark thing in my stomach became more active. Pushing the cart that wanted to make a hard right turn on it’s own due to the skidding wheel, we came upon two rather large ladies involved in an active discussion about one of their neighbors who were blocking the aisle with their carts, I waited patiently but they didn’t notice me, I finally turned the cart and went back the way I had just come. The dark thing started kicking. I slid way to the produce section where I watched a lady squeeze every orange and put them back until she found the one that felt right. No wonder so much of the fruit and veggies are bruised. The thought of squeezing her head flashed through my brain and the dark thing jumped for joy. By this time my stomach was churning and I decided it was time to go. I skidded my way to the checkout. I picked out the shortest line, only one lady in front of me and her cart was only half full. She then pulled out a huge envelope and started digging coupons out for every article she had. The dark thing stomped what little patience I had left to death. Muttering to my self, I skidded my cart to the car only to find someone had abandoned a cart behind my car. I moved the cart, unloaded the groceries, put my cart away. I started my car then found I couldn’t back up because someone was stopped behind me chatting to a friend in another car. The dark thing took over, filling the air with language I save for special occasions, we almost rammed the car behind us and we drove home to look for the skull and crossbones flag I bought last year for just such occasions. It’s the little things that get you.
Thought for the week—Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
Until next week, may you and yours be happy and well.
Whittle12124@yahoo.com
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