Thursday, October 8th, 2020

The man in front of me at the supermarket has a Whole Foods bag. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one. I think of commenting on it, but he’s wearing one of those deadened stares that says “I’m on an important secret mission and if I notice anyone other than myself, the fate of life itself could be at risk.” Ok, then. The supermarket is crowded. It usually is on Thursdays. People shop to prepare for the weekend. I would have skipped it tonight, but I needed to get chicken. There are other butcher shops closer to me, but I’m more comfortable here. The fall fruit still isn’t quite ready. I hold off on it. I get more peanut butter. While waiting in line, I check the bus schedule on my phone. The next one isn’t for half an hour. I could walk home faster than that, but I’m tired. I appreciate the chance to sit quietly for a while and not have to do anything. We’re in the midst of yet another heat wave, but the sun has set and the air has cooled. As I wait at the bus stop, a stream of joggers flows past me. So does an array of dogs, mostly with people. One, off leash, wanders over and sniffs my hands. He gets the information that he needs. He wanders on. I think of counting the dogs that go past. I don’t. Just sitting here and watching is enough.