There are many adjustments we have to make in this very strange time. It's hard to appreciate just how different things are when you are at home. It feels fairly normal, other than the fact that you can't really go anywhere. Where I really feel the change, though, is when I take a trip to the grocery store.
It's been a big adjustment for me, because I am used to going to Kroger every two or three days and getting 6-8 items. I usually think about what we're going to want for dinner a few days out. That has completely changed. Now we are trying to only go to the grocery store every 10 days or two weeks. Last time, my wife went. Today was my turn. It was the first time I had been there in close to four weeks.
The first thing I had to think about was meal planning. What recipes do I want to make, and what ingredients can I use for multiple recipes? I spent about an hour coming up with a list, then putting together a final grocery list that went in order of how I go through the store.
This morning, before I went, I had to figure out the mask. My wife made a mask using a black bandanna, but it took several attempts to get it to fit right on my face without being too loose or too tight. When I got to Kroger I noticed there were fewer cars in the parking lot than normal. I thought this was a good sign. But when you get in the store, it still seems like you can't escape the crowds. It definitely felt tense, with most people wearing masks and trying to stay out of everyone else's way. The only item on my list that Kroger didn't have was garlic. Is there a garlic shortage I missed? Of course, they don't have toilet paper, but I didn't even try for that. Surprisingly, I was the only person in the wine aisle. Maybe I should have camped there for a few minutes for some time to de-stress. The checkout aisles are a bit different. There are signs on the floor for where you should stand and a Plexiglass barrier in front of the cashier.
My grand total: 81 items. That seems like a ton but somehow the food goes fast! I guess that's what happens when you have nothing to do but stay home.
