Shopping in Global Pandemic Conditions

I understood, somewhat, the initial problems stocking sanitizer, disinfectants and toilet paper (didn’t understand the hoarding need here). Then came the complete absence of flour and yeast. I did not realize Americans still knew how to bake, from scratch yet, and even more amazing using yeast! Never ever had a problem buying yeast previously; only problem I encountered was expired yeast product. Then no dried beans – did not anticipate that. Not a big pasta user so those bare shelves didn’t bother me. I understood the logic behind these shortages as people went into hoarding mode, were cooking all their meals at home. It made sense that companies could not redistribute product that would have gone to big users like restaurants, schools, etc. as they were unable to repackage them for the retail market.

Nor did I anticipate the library closing otherwise I would have stocked up on DVDs and audio books.

Now I notice a different phenomena with availability of merchandise. I went to Target; they have a lot of empty shelves, and this wasn’t toilet paper and the like. I wondered if the store were closing.

At the big box hardware stores I notice empty spaces. Light fixtures have been removed from the display. They’re sold out of many lights. So are so many people working on home project like myself? I asked an employee, retail sales associate, what was up. He told me they can’t get merchandise from China. And as nothing is made in the US anymore that means we have fewer products. The pandemic disrupted manufacturing and shipping.

I am glad to be retired, not have to worry about holding my job, keeping my health insurance. My pension and Social Security are deposited monthly and health insurance is covered regardless of my employment status. And yet I received a stimulus check – for what reason?

So I am lucky that my concerns are over a lack of consumer goods. But flour is back on the shelves; yeast and cooking spray are still MIA. Lots of veggies. So I am eating better than before, with regular meals. And there are still some projects to tackle, but have yet to find the right dining room fixture.

Oh I decided I want a pergola in the yard. If I have it put up now I will be ready in spring to plant clematis and grapes and climbing roses. Alas, the best looking company for these is all sold out! And I’m glad I ordered my kayak early; hear those have been sold out too. My travel plans are on indefinite hold so I had no need to let funds accumulate. Lest you be too critical of me, I did donate to charity some of that stimulus check.

UPDATE 11/2022 I survived, as is obvious from subsequent posts. Still the supply side hasn’t recovered and shortages continue, sometimes the oddest stuff like sugar free pudding. I didn’t get the pergola as glad I held off. The floodlights of my neighbors continue to be an intrusive problem and my intention was to sit out there at night. Now the problem is prices hikes – eggs at Trader Joe’s went up 80 cents a dozen! A cup of French Onion soup at Panerras is $6.49! And just got the new utility bill for gas and electricity – yikes! And the cold hasn’t hit yet. Gas at $4.27 and of course oil companies announced record profits (along with the airlines). What is wrong with the way things work?

Why Can’t we Just Get Along

On Friday I came home from out of town to see that my lovely dumbass neighbor moved his free standing fire pit next to the chain link fence, one foot from my arborvitae hedge. Now dumbass and I are not friends. His favorite mode of speaking to me is yelling “Shut the fuck up.”
He is a hoarder. What he fills his garage and house with I don’t care, just like I don’t care about what he and his squeeze do in their house. In my four and half years living here I’ve held off calling in a complaint about all the junk stored outside in the yard.
Checked with the Fire Dept. regards regulations about these fire pits. They are the free-standing ones that have become very popular as most cities don’t allow a bonfire in your yard. Unfortunately the regulations can’t quite seem to make up their mind as to whether they are really a hazard and how to deal with them. They told me if he burns stuff and I’m annoyed by perhaps the smoke I can call the fire dept. who will send out a truck and ask him to put it out. After enough such runs they may ask give him a ticket. These sort of crap has been keeping the firemen here busy. So no solution here.
Time to address the pile of blocks, and branches and fencing and old dog house and ladder and plastic garden chairs and bike that have been accumulating next to his garage. Oh I’m sure he knows exactly who called. And even if I didn’t call I’m sure I would get the blame; there are other people in the neighbor who file complaints on ordinance violations like parked cars, tall grass, etc. I know some of them.
So this morning I stopped at the Building Services Dept. with photos on my Ipad. Nothing can be done about the fire pit but the Inspector will address the other stuff. And he actually was out around noontime! I’m sure John gave him some sound and dance but I do hope the Inspector can easily see that stuff has been out there a long time – not just recent moves for a planned project.
About this neighbor John – he uses a leaf blower to ‘rake’ his lawn and then blows my mulch leaves into my yard. He’s picks up tree twigs and branches and throws them into my yard. They’ve thrown their cigarette butts into my yard – I know with certainty they are not from anyone in my household. Is the dog smoking when I’m not looking, perhaps? Oh yeah, he also uses his snowblower to blow snow onto my cleaned sidewalk. Passive aggressive.
So I will see what will happen, if anything. Meanwhile I put a piece of paneling between the fence and my arborvitae. If it should start to burn may have to yell fire!