The Witch Is In

After Next Door Neighbor joined in on the Halloween fun, I realized I didn’t even need the candy corn witch, but she was already on the way, arrived today, so set her up I did.

Plans to walk the university, or around the golf course today, were preempted when I woke up feeling drained of energy.

Because I empath, an energy drain generally signifies family drama going on — something happening with either Twin 1 or Twin 2. I don’t generally feel the grandkids.

Whatever it is, I hope it gets handled without involving me. We all have to individually work our way through this maze called life.

At any rate, there was no outside walking today, but I did manage to do 30 minutes on the indoor bike, which got the blood flowing, made me feel better.

Well enough to head to the corner market … where the security guard is, for items I’ve been unable to find at the other market, or Sprouts, or Trader Joe’s — like jasmine brown rice, gluten free bisquick, and Ore-Ida frozen diced potatoes. After all, I rationalized, today is Saturday, he can’t possibly work Monday through Friday AND weekends.

Wrong.

As I was exiting the car, I saw him, over to the left, slowly walking from his truck back to the store. He sped up when he saw me, but I beat him inside.

Since I was there, I did all my grocery shopping, making sure to get three each of the things I can only find at this market, so I’d not have to return.

I managed to avoid all contact with Mr. Security Guard, saw him out the corner of my eye a few times, but pretended I didn’t, and lucked up upon exiting the store because Wheelchair Man had him trapped in a conversation.

Security Guard glanced up when he saw me heading for the door, but there is no getting away from Wheelchair Man when he visits the store and engages staff in conversation.

Seeing the frustrated look on security guard’s face, at being blocked in, I laughed all the way to the car.

What wasn't funny, but which I guess is a sad sign of how some of us are struggling ... the guy who bagged my groceries looked to be about 80 years old.

A reminder of how lucky I am to be retired ... not rich, but not in danger of becoming a Walmart greeter or a grocery store bagger ... at least not yet.

So there’s that.

Then there’s this.

Looks like a fun medal and tee to add to my collection, but it’s a Virtual, and I’m done with boring Virtuals, especially since in-person 5Ks are popping up.

I’ve already signed up for the Mission Inn 5K on the 25th.

I've always wanted to do this race, but traffic is bad that way and parking is worse but, after such a long time away from live events, I decided to go for it.

Not only will there be traffic and parking to deal with, but this race is going to be HUGHER than HUGH, a mad house, because it’s three races in one — a ½ Marathon, a 10K and a 5K.

My friend the Archeologist saw on Facebook that I’d registered for the 5K portion, signed up herself, her son, her daughter and asked if I wanted to carpool.

"Sure" replied I, but then things got even more complicated.

We have to drive up the day before for package pickup, and I have to be fed, dressed and outside waiting for her by 6:00 AM race day, so we can find parking, and then stand around until after the start of the other two races, for our 7:30 start time.

Too much of a hassle for me, so I made it easy on myself by booking a nearby hotel, so I can beat traffic by arriving the day before, leave the car parked at the hotel, walk to/from package pickup, leave the hotel next morning at 7:15 AM, walk to 5K start location.

Notified the Archeologist of my change of plans. We’ll meet up at the site for photos.

I'm better on my own anyway. Prefer it so.