Bodega

I was watching FBI when I heard the term bodega. I liked the sound of the word. So I decided I would write a story using that word and others that have an origin from another country. Even though these words don't originate from the US, they are frequently used, and many people are familiar with them. Below is a list of the words I decided to use in my story with a definition. 

     As I wrote the short story, it became apparent that it would be extremely short, so I wrote a drabble which is exactly 100 words, not including the title. The drabble is a way of testing the author's ability to write a brief, interesting story. It's not an easy task, but it's a good exercise. 

Bodega is a small grocery store, especially in a Spanish-speaking neighborhood.

Piazza is a market or a public square, especially in an Italian town.

The veranda is a roofed platform outside a house that is level with the ground.

Digits can be fingers.

I ambled down the path. I walked down the trail. 

 

I boogied until dawn. I danced the night away. 

Baguettes are long loaves of french bread and also a diamond cut.

 

Gem usually refers to a diamond. 

Crepe is a thin pancake.

Croissant is a flaky crescent-shaped bread roll.

A patisserie is a bakery or pastry shop.

Brekky is a British breakfast.

A bistro is the same as a diner.

 

The following is my drabble using the words from the above list.

Perfect Day

It was a bright, crisp morning, perfect weather to have my brekky on the veranda. I wandered into a daydream while tapping my digits on the table. A trip to the bodega was the planned event of the morning. I ambled down the path toward the piazza to purchase a baguette and croissant from the patisserie. The aroma of the crepes and spiced latte from the bistro filled the air with a bouquet of enticing fragrances that lingered. 

That night was special as my wife, and I boogied until dawn. The stars shined like gems in the clear night sky.

 

328

Tax time isn’t something I look forward to, but having them down by a professional lessens my worries. I get my taxes done at Sederburg’s on walk-in Tuesday. My wife says that’s not right. It would be alliterative if it was walk-in Wednesday. No argument there, but it wasn’t my call.

So yesterday I left home early to get my taxes prepared. It’s on a first come first served basis. I arrived at at 6:50 am and to my surprise I was first in line. Doug arrived right at 7:00 am. He works at Sederburg’s and I have known Doug for many years as we are both members of  Saturday Writers. Doug allowed me to come in as long as I didn’t start a fight. I agreed since Doug is twice my size and younger. 

The first thing I did was sign the log in sheet. I chatted with Doug and another guy named Ben who came in right after me. Shortly thereafter an old couple entered. I say old because I’m 74 but they were older. They immediately went the counter to sign the log, obviously not there first time at walk-in (non-alliterate) Tuesday.

The old gentleman stood silent as his wife grabbed a pen and proceeded to fill in the log. It was early so the old guy looked like he could have been sleep standing (a skill older people have mastered). The wife muttered the numbers 328 to no one in particular or at least that’s what I thought. Her husband unmoved by her comment stood tall and quite. And no one responded regarding her comment and why would anyone, after all it wasn’t a question. A few seconds later she repeated the numbers, 328. This time her husband eyes glazed over and his lips quivered as if he was about to speak but no words came forth. 

Then the wife again repeated the number 328 but with a louder and more demanding tone. There was barely any time to respond before she said it a forth time immediately following with the words, your cell phone. That’s when the husband recognized that it was a question he was expected to answer. 

This is a familiar scenario many older couples can understand as they too have had a partner do the same. After telling this story to my wife we have now adopted the phase 328. We now use it anytime we don’t understand what the each other is saying. It’s very efficient and more pleasant than saying, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Just Saying . . .”

Factory Settings

I’ve heard many times that if you have a problem with appliances or electronics the easiest way to solve the problem is to reset the appliance back to the original factory settings. It seems like a good solution since you have probably struggled trying to fix the issue in other ways without success. 

     It’s the perfect backup plan when all else fails. Knowing this gives you some peace of mind. So, Mimi and I were discussing the aches and pains that come with aging. We decided that the best thing to do is have our bodies reset to the original factory settings. It doesn’t seem like an unreasonable request since we’ve done our best to stay healthy by exercising and eating right. Factory setting are a fail safe.

     So please accept this post as our official request to give our bodies a complete factory reset. And as we all know there have been a number of changes since we first arrived, so if you can please include all the software upgrades that would be appreciated. “Just Saying . . .”

Notice to Grocery Stores

I want to put all grocery stores on notice. Your top shelf is high, especially when the items are all in the back. I’m 5’5” so I can reach the items in the front, but many times the front of the top shelf is barren. It’s likely that you’re store is short on staff so I get that you can’t have a person running around the store pushing all the items to the front of every shelf. 

     Let me tell you about old people. We find a way to get things done. Always have, and always will, road blocks are no big thing. So if you see an old person climbing up the shelves to get their favorite Italian soda, don’t look surprised. Yes, I agree it’s not the smartest thing to do, but remember what I said earlier, we find a way. 

     Now I have a solution, have a few step stools strategically placed around the store. Seniors could use those to get their favorite item from the top shelf.  Yes, of course your lawyers won’t like it. They’ll say that it will only encourage people to use them and it could be dangerous if they fall. The store could be sued. Also true, but if they fall off a display while scaling the shelves, the store could also be sued and it would be a more interesting lawsuit.

     Old people do what old people do. Not to say it’s always a good choice, but it’s worth knowing. Getting step stools is a better choice, because there’s a good chance that old lady climbing the shelf has Morgan and Morgan on speed dial. “Just Saying . . . “

Special Parking Spaces

This morning my wife asked me to go to the grocery store and pick up a few items. Sure, I'll be happy to stop at the Bodega (I'm trying to use more interesting words). She gave me a short list, and I drove off to fill her order.

As I pulled into the parking lot of Schnucks, I drove around looking for the closest spot to the entrance. The best spots were for the handicapped, which is understandable. Hmm, I guess saying handicap is no longer acceptable. I think disabled is the proper word now, but how is that better? It's all very confusing. As I turned down another aisle, there were spots for both Wounded Warriors and Maternity, and who would argue with that. There were also numerous spots for Online Pickup and one for Employee of the Month (recognition for a job well done). 

Screw it. I'll just park on the far side next to the sign. You know, the spot no one wants. I walked to the entrance, dodging shopping carts randomly parked anywhere, because it's too hard to take them to the corral. I waited patiently as guys with big ass trucks decided to back into a parking spot. I suppose everyone would like a fast getaway after they paid $6.00 for a gallon of milk. I walked past cars angled across two parking spaces. Thanks for that. Remember me, I'm parked by the Schnucks sign. 

I finally get to the Bodega (remember, I'm using fancy words) and made my purchases. I pushed my cart to my private Schnucks sign parking spot and unload. Just a note for those of you that have never used the sign parking, there are no cart corrals anywhere near. I could leave the cart on the grass by the sign, but that seems wrong, so I push it back toward the corral when I see someone getting out of their car. They probably need a cart, so I'll offer mine to them. It will save time for both of us, win, win. 

But, she said. "Did you sanitize it?"

"Lady, I parked by the sign. Do you see any of the sanitizers over there?" I pointed to my car.

She squinted. "I can't see that far."

"Nevermind." Then I proceeded on my original path to the corral.

I had no more issues as I returned to my car, except for the two near misses from cars racing down the aisle competing for an open parking spot.

I left the parking lot, and I decided to stop at Home Depot, it's close so I could run in and get some light bulbs without wasting another trip. As I drove into the HD lot, I again searched for a spot to park. They too, have reserved spots for special customers, one for Contractors, another for Ladies Only (WHAT?), and one for a Green Vehicle (Now, my KIA Soul is alien green, but it's not EV). Below the large letters, it said EV Only, so not for my alien green Soul. I decided it wasn't worth the trouble, I mean we have flashlights, so we didn't need no stinking light bulbs. 

As I drove home I thought of a another special space the businesses could reserve. How about making a super wide space for people who can't fit their car between the two white lines. There are people already taking up two spaces anyway so just make it legal. The sign could read, "For People who are terrible at parking".  

Maybe there could have a shuttle to pick up the people that park by the sign and drop them off at the front entrance. "Just Saying . . ."

Night Creatures

The story you are about to hear is true. The city is St. Charles, Missouri. “I live here and these are the facts, just the facts, ma’am.”

I was working the day watch when I found the culprits. They had a busy night. The nights are always busy in this county. Nothing good happens after midnight.

My name is Jimmy and it’s a Friday.

It starts in the sewers, raccoon highways, but it ends in the suburbs with destruction. Don’t be fooled by their cute and cuddly appearance. They’re cunning and destructive. Growing up in the streets is hard and the lessons learned are seared in their brain. Rocky and his crew run with a crowd of bandits. They always wear a mask, but not because of Covid. 

I knew we’d catch them someday, but they’re smart so it wasn’t easy. They let their guard down and that was their mistake. Tripped up by marshmallows and strawberry daiquiri. Sure they lived the high life but it lead them to their end.

We took them off the streets today, but there’s always more. Stay strong and be aware, the bandits work at night.

My name is Jimmy and those are the facts.

Things I’ve learned the hard way

People learn in different ways, some ways are easier than others, but as long as you learn you’re good to go. Although, you’ll have less trouble if you watch and learn versus making mistakes to learn. I’m like most people in that I’ve learned lessons both ways. But as I’ve aged I’m starting to understand it’s less troublesome for me to learn by observing, rather than diving into troubled waters.

     Emotions are tricky and we all have an emotion that is troublesome. Anger and impatience are two that come to mind. Impatience is one emotion that drives anger but there are many triggers for anger. Many people blame others saying, “They made me angry, I can’t help it.” It’s not easy but we always have a choice, so it helps if you reject anger. Yes, it’s possible but difficult. Your anger may be spring loaded to go off, so take baby steps to fix it or any emotion that bothers you. 

     Worry is the emotion that bothers me. I worry about people and events that are usually out of my control. I know worry doesn’t solve the problem, but it still persist even though I push it away. It takes work to fix your emotions but it’s worth the time.

     Choices define your actions and reactions to every situation give you the opportunity to make a new a better choice. Use these opportunities to make a better life for yourself. “Just Saying . . .”