Monday, March 16, 2020

The Best and the Worst

So how was your weekend? Good, I hope. I just can't bring myself to write my usual Monday post, recounting my weekend, and even a "Sometimes Monday" post feels a little frivolous. So I'm just writing, off the cuff and stream of consciousness, and I'll see what I end up with. 

It felt like things began to really go off the rails sometime last week, maybe when the WHO declared the coronavirus situation a global pandemic. I had thought of it in that way before the pronouncement, but I didn't know or even suspect what that might mean in how we all lived our daily lives. But then I traveled back to NJ and went to the grocery store and it became much clearer. The shelves were bare, with only some produce, a few steaks, and a moderate amount of snack-type things (which I don't usually buy). No milk, yogurt, bread, rolls, eggs, soup, pasta, or anything I consider staples. I wish I had taken photos but I was too dumbfounded. I had wanted to get a gallon of milk, some spaghetti, bread, and fruit, but all I bought was apples. We have a well-stocked freezer in both locations, but I don't keep milk and bread on hand. 


I'm sure that none of this is news to any of you, and I bet you've encountered something similar yourself. It felt a little surreal, and then I talked to Ryan. He had gone to the grocery store Friday night, put the last two gallons of available milk in his cart, then turned around to see if there were any eggs available. When he turned back to his cart he saw a man taking the milk out of his cart. Ryan said told the guy not to steal it and please put it back. The guy put the milk in his cart (not Ryan's) and then he turned around and punched Ryan in the head — hard enough to knock Ryan down. Other customers did come to Ryan's rescue and he was okay, just dumbfounded like I had been during my grocery-buying visit. Several customers chased the guy down and got Ryan's milk back and several other people got the manager. He was escorted out of the store.

I'm keeping busy here in MD with cleaning, laundry, possibly working on taxes (is it wrong to hope the April 15 deadline gets extended?), and then knitting. John and his boss had decided at the end of last week that everyone that could work from home needed to work from home. They informed people, but then over the weekend there were conflicting emails from the powers that be that be stating "we need you to come to work". John said he doesn't give a rat's a**,; he is not going to be responsible for any of his people being exposed to the virus in a work setting. So he has gone to work to send everyone home, shut things down as much as possible, and I expect him home later today for the foreseeable future. We will decide where we isolate, MD or NJ, and take the necessary actions.

I didn't find any bread, milk, or pasta, but we'll have chicken, rice, and salad for dinner. Baking helps me deal with stress, so I think I'll make an applesauce cake. I did find this lovely cyclamen at the grocery store and couldn't resist. We can't eat it but it provides me with some much-needed beauty. 


I'm still angry when I think about the guy that punched Ryan but I understand that we're all afraid. Here's hoping you are all practicing meticulous hygiene, curbing your fear, and staying healthy. Take care!

20 comments:

  1. Oh, Bonny. I am just shocked and appalled at what happened to Ryan! I don't understand people, I tell ya.

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  2. I am shocked at what happened to Ryan. Perhaps I shouldn't be, but what the hell?!? The shelves are bare here as well (not from first hand knowledge - but Steve's parents were out going to all.the.stores. Really...I can't even with them!) My son is very panicked, so I am being calm for him with hopes that it will seep through the phone lines. He is avoiding large stores (yay!) and went to his local little market to get some milk and eggs (which they had!) I have also read that many Asian markets are not experiencing the bare shelf syndrome... Your cyclamen is beautiful (as is this post) Sending my love to you and your family... stay safe and well!

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  3. Oh Bonny! How horrible what happened to Ryan. Unbelievable. I keep hearing/reading of shortages, but I was at two stores to stock up on Saturday and there were no shortages (other than no jumbo eggs - only large). Plenty of bread and milk,, yogurt, cheese - even canned goods, pasta and rice, etc. No bare shelves. The only shelves that were beginning to look depleted were the bottled water ones. Weird. Hope you and yours all stay safe and sane. Sending all good juju.

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  4. Oh my goodness! I have not heard of that here and we are a few weeks ahead of everyone with the restrictions so maybe people are settling down. I am sorry for Ryan and for your mama heart.

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  5. Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear about Ryan! Glad he is OK and the perp was escorted out of the store, I hope the police were called. Was this in FC? Our stores have had empty shelves, we started getting ready mid Feb., so we really do not need anything and can isolate for a month or more if need be, ( we are preparing for grown kids to come here if need be). You guys take care!

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  6. What a horrible thing for Ryan! Shelves are pretty empty here as well, but I didn't encounter any aggressive people. A small local grocer has been working hard at keeping shelves stocked and has just asked that laid off restaurant workers apply for temp jobs at the store. Hope you and your family keep well through all of this!

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    1. Shelves are also empty here, but I'm very heartened by your local grocer and his concern for others. I know you are practicing exemplary handwashing and hope you stay healthy!

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  7. I am way more afraid of hysterical people than I am of the virus.

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  8. Wow. I'm glad Ryan is okay. Shelves are bare of meat and same kind of staples here. We've got food so we're not panicking or hoarding. It will be interesting to see how the next couple of weeks play out! And GO John!

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  9. Oh, Bonny! I am so sorry to hear about Ryan's experience. My goodness! These are scary enough times . . . without violence from our fellow shoppers. I'm so glad you found that lovely cyclamen! Happy blooms bring a bit of HOPE into our world. XO

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  10. I am so glad Ryan did not get hurt!!! By the way, how are his corneas? I think a lot of people turn to violence when they are afraid, and it is very perceptive and compassionate of you to think that way. I am sure there will be more episodes like this in the country. I bought a few things through a Kroger click list last week, and I don't plan to go grocery shopping any other way for a while. It minimizes my exposures, and it is certainly safer. I am glad that John is such a good leader for his folks. People need to step up and do what's right, and he did! Hang in there, knit on, through all crises!

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  11. These times bring out the best in us, hmmm. I hope your son is doing good and please let him know that we are all sending thoughts and prayers to him...We're doing our best to stay calm and take each day (hour, minute, sec) as it comes. I've been housebound literally for nearly 14 days...and counting...
    The cyclamen is indeed lovely! Sending good thoughts your way, our way!
    Cheers~

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  12. I am astounded at what Ryan experienced.

    I guess when humans are under stress, it brings out more of whatever qualities we already have - the good AND the bad. I'll hope he runs into more people with the good qualities this week. At a distance, of course.

    Take care...

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  13. This pandemic is showing us the worst in our fellow human beings and where our social systems are absolutely failing -- and that, to me, is the saddest thing of all. I'm glad Ryan was not seriously hurt and that you are all relatively comfortable. And I'm glad that you have something beautiful to look at while you're at home!

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  14. Oh i am so so so very sorry that happened .. That is awful. We don't need to be violent about it. Oh my gosh! Im disgusted. Sending you hugs

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  15. I scored some GF pasta (which is all the store had in pasta form) and 2 bags of rice (white, but it'll do. The store was calm, the shelves were being restocked to some degree and there was no aggression. However, I heard people were fighting over TP at Costco. Thankful that Ryan wasn't hurt and that others were kind enough to come to his rescue. I hope against hope that people will come to their senses. Flowers for the win!

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  16. Oh man, that is an awful story about Ryan and the milk. I am glad the guy didn't get away with an assault. I was in the grocery stores last Wednesday. Some items were gone and the stores were busy but people were calm. The cyclamen is lovely. I bought a bouquet of fresh flowers from Trader Joes. An inexpensive luxury. Good for your husband.

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  17. I am shocked that Ryan was assaulted. So far everyone is kind around here but the shelves are picked bare in certain aisles. They cannot keep them stocked! I figure eventually everyone will have bought everything and then it will settle down.

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  18. OMG. That is incredible... and SO AWFUL!! Wow.

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