“We should go.”  We were not having any fun in Hell and being surrounded by angry people in Circle #5 wasn’t helping.  We started clawing our way out.  But being one of the few States not reopening brings another sort of hell.  From the beginning we have had very few cases and our curve is flat, flatter than flat. What does it take?  We need haircuts!

Are you as sick as I am of the celebrities on TV intoning:  “Be safe, Stay at home, Wash your hands, We are all in this together.”  Do they think we don’t know this by now?  Are we all just stupid?  They all look suspiciously like they’re getting their hair cut and styled, like they have personal hairdressers.  And I am pretty sure we don’t live in the same category of home that they do.  Proof that we’re not “All in this together.”

I made a secret escape plan and kept it to myself until the day came.  Tom now does all the grocery shopping and the Costco runs and I am really fine with that as grocery shopping is not my favorite.  However, there is one grocery store I love and I missed it.  I was determined to go.  I got ready to leave and Tom said “where are you going?”  “Market of Choice” I said nonchalantly.  His face darkened with what can only be described as a deep stormy scowl.  “That’s a really bad idea” he said.  I just looked at him.  It was a standoff.  The OK Corral had nothing on us.

Driving down the freeway to the Market, I had my mask and gloves.  I was all ready.  I started in the bakery department and looked lovingly at the pastries, cakes and cookies.  Perused the Artisan breads and then the deli and take out dishes.  I headed for the cheese department where I bought the Market House Gorgonzola cheese, my favorite. I was a little disconcerted to read that the cheese comes from Wisconsin, I liked to think of an in-house cheese maker or better, a small farm nearby dedicated to Gorgonzola, turning out this delicious cheese. I took my time.  I went up and down all the aisles.  They have the most interesting and unusual items in this store.  I bought more than I needed.  I was happy.  I saved the produce section for last.  Oh what a vast, colorful selection of everything and things you never knew  you needed and don’t and took my time, trying not to be tempted to throw things into my basket I definitely didn’t need.  How long was I there?  Who cares.  I was not in hell any longer.  As I made my way to the checkout counter, I walked by their gift and flower department.  Of course I had to stop and see what was there.  Then I saw it.  The mug, the perfect mug.  I am picky about my coffee mugs and haven’t been able to find one I love for at least 5 years, even though I am always looking.  My heart beat faster.  The perfect Mother’s Day gift for me. Tom wouldn’t even have to agonize over what he was going to get me, although I have a sneaking suspicion he wasn’t agonizing at all and had no plans to get me anything. I described it in detail when I got home and sent Tom back to the store.  He didn’t even know they had a gift department so I had to also instruct as to exactly where he could find it and which door to go through.

It sure would be good to hear anything positive from the news media.  They are a nonstop doom and gloom machine.  Even though there is good news, apparently the media hasn’t heard about it.  The other day, it was not only do we all have to stay in the house until at least 2040, there are murder hornets on the way to kill us all.  We are all doomed folks, just doomed and if you don’t believe me, turn on the news.

Have you been set free?