GO’s Sand Bucket, By Georgia Osten
Okay, let me get this off my chest first of all – Those fickle little birds are driving me crazy. Just when I think they’re gone, I’ll see one flitting around my tree. Okay, I’ll go get the feeders out AGAIN. I decided, well if this is my only one, I’ll get only one feeder out and I’ll fill it halfway. Well, then, wouldn’t you know it, here come 3 more of his friends. Okay, I’ll go get my other feeder and fill it and I’ll go ahead and fill the first one all the way to the top. Two days later, none! Where have they gone? Did someone tell them they should be traveling on? Well, someone should!

What I wanted to write about was “remembering things.” I always remember where I park my car when I’m out shopping. I always say to myself, “when you come out the door, you’ll be parked just to the left, or just to the right.” I always remember which door I went in as well. If I’m at WalMart, I always park by the garden department. If I’m at Home Depot or Lowe’s, I always park by the garden department.

Saturday, I ventured into town, “I went all the way!” First stop, the car wash. It makes me very nervous to be sprayed with salt water while crossing on the ferry, so I stopped at Blue Wave, exit 19. With a spanking clean car, the next stop was going to be Sam’s at ElDorado (I don’t remember what exit that is? After Bay Brook for sure!) I wanted to be sure Sam’s had enough Trunk or Treat candy for EMS to hand out at The Big Store on the 28th. Someone told me candy was getting scarce. Last year, I was asked to get candy the day before Trunk or Treat and there was little if none to be found.

Sam’s was well-stocked, and I bought 15 bags. I figured if they had any left (HaHa), EMS could use it for the Crystaland Parade.

I had many more stops I wanted to make but I was afraid the candy would melt so I decided to go across the freeway to HEB. I talked myself out of starting my Christmas shopping at Dillard’s and Home Goods and Kirklands. I was getting tired anyway after Sam’s. Man oh Man, I was really in no shape to a lick of shopping after HEB.

First of all, parking was difficult to find, and all I could think about was finding some really nice plants at HEB. I parked my car and found a basket so I could stroll the sidewalk in front of HEB to find plants. I found a few nice ones and then made my way inside, did my shopping and checked out. After checking out, I couldn’t remember which door I had come in. I tried to, visibly in my head, go through what I had seen when I entered the store. I couldn’t remember whether I had come to the produce side or the drug side of the store. Oh Dear …

As I made it outside, I was really in a quandary. I got out in the parking lot where I usually park, I tried the horn on my car, tried the unlock horn, tried to start my car. Nothing! I became embarrassed, especially when I was heading back to the store with my basket full of stuff I had obviously bought already. I thought I might have to call my daughter to come help me, she lives nearby. Fat chance that would’ve done, I had forgotten she told me she was in Austin for the weekend.

Finally, I guess I thought I saw my car, so I hit the lock button and started the car, thank goodness I saw the rear lights flicker and knew I was near. With relief, I loaded my groceries and those gosh darn plants who got me all befuddled in the first place.

I may be too old to remember where the car is, but I’m not too old to learn another lesson.

GO’s Sand Bucket is only one beach bum’s journal of life at the beach, probably something each of you can relate to. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts, visions and/or feelings of just exactly what the beach means to you. Email: [email protected]

[GO: Oct-24-2023]