… sneezes and handkerchief honking were the sounds that greeted me as the automatic doors to Meijer flew open this morning. Right away I asked myself if I really wanted to enter this hot bed of germs. I grabbed a couple of those antibacterial wipes and swabbed down my shopping cart handle. I hoped that none of the people making those sickbed-like sounds touched it before I did.
Yes, I am a bit of a germaphobe.
Also greeting me at the door was a delightful yeasty smell which wafted from red and white bakery boxes emblazoned with the word “paczki” on them. You could buy your Fat Tuesday jelly donut treats now and enjoy them today, or, wait ‘til Tuesday and watch them get stale before your very eyes.
And then there was a massive display for Super Bowl Sunday … cases of pop in every brand snugged up next to the munchies and party décor, all featuring the SB 50 logo, just in case you forgot the big game was tomorrow.
Not to be left out were the Valentine’s Day goodies with all the hearts and flourishes and chocolate one could imagine.
The Meijer stock persons have been really busy.
I arrived early thinking to beat the crowd, but that didn’t happen – it was a sunny and bright morning and everyone was eager to go grocery shopping to lay in their provisions, then get out to enjoy this cool, but clear and snow-free day.
I had a longer grocery list but abandoned it as soon as I saw (and heard) the crowd. While I am fortified with a flu shot, all the Vitamin C from clementines and broccoli, plus the occasional bag of mini sweet peppers, there’s no use mingling any more than usual. I got the goods and got out of Dodge, so I could escape, hopefully germfree, and still get a walk under my belt.
I headed down to the marina and was happy to see the ice was mostly gone and the ducks had returned – there must have been thirty or more of them. There was still a fine layer of ice in some places, but the ducks didn’t seem to mind. Some of the mallards paddled along and dove into the chilly water for their breakfast without a care in the world, and, still others congregated noisily around the dock pilings; they were a rather rambunctious crowd, just like the Meijer shoppers who milled around the pop and munchies.
I stayed awhile and took in the scenery, then headed for home, energized by the trip and the sun in my face on this beautiful February day.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
I went to WalMart. Yep. Sneeze, cough, cough,sneeze and some how they were shoulder to shoulder, neck to neck with me. I had my head in my coat. It was a beautiful day. I am glad you had a good day walking.
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Good for you Marge – I am glad you were feeling well enough to go shopping and it was a beautiful day. The sneezing, coughing and sniffling reminded me of rush hour on the bus or riding the elevator in the Detroit office buildings. I wanted to put a mask on sometimes.
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Miss Linda…………….I’ve been hearing from people around me that their kids are very sick…………..so it is a good idea to go early to Meijer and away from the crowds……………guess what I was just coming home from a funeral way out in Livonia and when I got to Meijer store there were a ton of cars in the parking lot and I park far from the entrance……………..there were only a few carts to use and the long lines by each register made me comment to the clerk on what is happening and we concluded everyone was getting ready for the big Superbowl game
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I know Ann Marie – horribly busy and now that I have to hook and unhook the battery gizmo on my car, it makes dashing out to Meijer take a little longer. Now, I notice, just in the last dew weeks that the sun is rising early – so I can get out earlier if I want to take the car somewhere. On the other hand, I hear we are having a Wintry blast this week, maybe a little snow accumulation as well, so the earlier sunrise is going to do much good for me. I park far from the entrance as well so the car is not damaged by carts or other cars. Flu season should be at its peak right around now.
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