It’s Not Easy Buying Green

You wouldn’t believe the hassle it was to get my hands on a 1-ounce bottle of green food color.

When I rechecked the calendar yesterday afternoon, I realized the Saint Patrick’s Day potluck was scheduled for Tuesday the 15^th, not Thursday the 17^th as I’d previously thought; so I headed to the market for eggs and green food color.

Eggs … no problem, except they may be too fresh.

Green food color … problem.

The market did not sell, nor did the next market I ran to, nor the next; so I turned to the internet and asked “where can I buy food color”.

“Nowhere”, replied the internet. I’d have to order online, it would be shipped and received well after it was needed.

My favorite online retailer could guarantee delivery of a 16-ounce bottle costing $12.00, but shipping and handling would run the tab up to $39, and I’d get it a week late, rather than the two/three-weeks late elsewhere.

HOWEVER, if I signed up for Prime at $99 a year, I’d get free two day shipping.

Total cost for $12 item, plus Prime — $111, and still arriving three to four days later than needed.

BUT, I could add $4.50 for one-day shipping.

Total cost of $12 item, plus Prime plus one-day shipping — $115.50, still arriving too late for my need, but by only one day.

Green guacamole, even though it didn’t seem to fit the theme, was beginning to sound better and better.

In bed at 10:30 last night, I couldn’t sleep for thinking thinking thinking – what else can I bring?

Then something said … wait a minute. While running here, there, I vaguely recall seeing food color on store shelves … don’t give up, keep looking.

So I jumped out of bed, logged onto the puter, looked at places I’m usually running through.

Sears — online only
Joanns — online only
Michael’s — online only
Hobby Lobby — online only

I began the search earlier in the day with Walmart and Target, but decided to recheck.

Walmart — still online only
Target — available at five locations in the Inland Empire

So why didn't you, Mr. Internet, say so hours ago when I first asked?

My preference of Redlands was sold out. So I added Target Fontana, 16 miles away, available for pick up today, to cart.

Cost of transaction — $3.14.

Food color in hand, all’s well that ends well; but such a weird boatload of hassle.

I’ll test a few eggs tomorrow, just to be sure they won’t give me grief, then I’ll be up early Tuesday -- boiling, peeling, tinting, deviling eggs.

If the eggs do give me grief, I’ll be deli guacamole or deli potato salad for the folks.