Lots of Conversations took place at the thrift store today.
There were three women speaking freely next to me. Strangers, not friends. One liked what one of the other women had in her cart, so started up a conversation with her. And then another lady joined in.
They introduced themselves to one another.
Ruby, hazel, and Bette.
I didn’t want to gawk at them, so I’m not sure which was saying what, but here’s how the conversations went….
“Look what you found there. I use to have one of those back in the day. I sure hope it still works. Do you mind if I take a look?”
“Sure, go right ahead.”
“Works! How are you doing today?”
“Fine, and you?”
“Not bad”
“But I’m Not worried about myself but these kids nowadays. They are who I’m
Worried about. They tell me life is so much better then it was when I was their age but that’s not true. My granddaughter tells me that it must have been so sad to go through the Great Depression, and not having equal rights, but I tell her it was better then the way the world is now. It was! I’d gladly go back to those days in exchange to the warped, craziness of today.”
“Amen to that!”
“I’m 87.”
“I just turned 80 last week”
“I’m 82.”
“I’m worried about today’s kids. They will never know any other life other then this one.”
“I agree. I was at my grandsons party the other day. I don’t know why he had all his classmates there.
No one was even talking. They were all on their phones. That is the only thing they know what to do.”
“Robots”
“You don’t know me and I don’t know you guys, but here we are talking. Today’s youth would never even dare strike up a conversation with a stranger, let alone know how to keep one going.”
“I agree. And let’s not forget the fact that none of them even have any basis math skills. Do they no longer teach adding and subtracting in today’s schools?”
“The other day my bill came to
$9.52, and I handed the young girl a ten dollar bill and .52. She gave me a Twenty dollar bill back. I looked at her and just shook my head.
I got home and thought to myself, I’m rich!”
If these stores are hiring dodo brains, I’ll take how ever much money they want if to give me back.”
“I think a they need to be giving these kids a Math Drill on their applications.”
“Can’t do that. None of them would pass.”
“I have a similar story. My bill came to fifteen and change. I gave the boy a twenty and the exact change and he handed me a ten back.”
“They have no sense. None!”
“You have to tell them how much you need back. They just can’t count back change. Brain dead they are.”
I then walked across the store to where the clothing was.
What I thought was another woman standing next to me in a dress, was actually a man.
Man to me– “Honey, Do you think you can help me shop?”
“My aunt is about your size and I am just not good with shopping. She likes a bold floral fabrics.”
Me-“Okay. How about something like this?”
I held up a bold floral print Maggie Barnes blouse.
Man– “I think she may like that. But what if she doesn’t?”
Me-“Well then you can return it, or wear it yourself?” (Then I laughed. He didn’t find my joke funny and took the blouse and went on his way.)
I then shopped a bit more and then headed back to the hard goods to where the ladies were still loudly speaking to one another.
“My daddy raised me right! God Bless his soul. He said a thief and a lier are the two worst things you can ever be in life. I’ve tried to live an honest life. I miss him so much”
“Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. I nearly lost my life a couple of weeks back.
It made me stop my routine of thirty years. A dead stop! I have been sitting in my car reading my newspaper without my seat belt on for the past thirty years. I have my coffee and enjoy the peace and quiet that only my car provides. I’m
Sure you ladies know what I’m Talking about. A women’s car is the only place she can be alone.”
“Well it certainly isn’t the bathroom!”
“You got that right. Well. All of the sudden I was Hit in the back end. I Called 911. I was fine, but I did spill my coffee all over the place. The police offer asked why I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. I told him that I have been in this same spot for thirty years reading my newspaper and drinking my coffee without wearing one. He didn’t write me a ticket. The man that hit me was texting and wasn’t paying attention to where he was going. I was mad as… well, I was very mad… But I decided that it was the good Lord that wanted me to choose a different spot to read my paper. I now park over in the library.”
“Oh Dear! That’s quite the story.”
“You are lucky to be alive.”
“Yes The USA is a great place to live.”
“I wanted to give granddaddy’s large military flag to my brother last week because I’ve been downsizing my house. I don’t want my things to be a burden on my kids when the lord calls me home. But when I offered the flag he said he’s ashamed to put one up. And for me to just throw it out! Can you even imagine that? Throw it out?! What’s wrong with him?!
He said he doesn’t want to stay in the USA because he’s not proud to be an American. I told him to forget the flag then and to take granddaddy’s boat paddles and paddle his tooty out of here then. If that’s the way he feels, I’ll give him the canoe too!”
“I agree. Shameful. My Daughter went to Africa, and came back and said she will punch the next person that she hears crying poor. And that no one better claim they are poor if they have clean drinking water, a roof over their head, clothes to wear and food to eat.”
“People are just do whiney and clueless.”
“Where do you live?”
“Here in town.”
“You?”
“I live in one of the apartments my daughter owns. It’s nice. No rent. I like my son in law too.
He’s my son in law until something goes wrong, and then he’s my landlord who never fixes anything right.”
“Do you drive?”
“I do but my daughter doesn’t want me to, but I know I could still. I haven’t had a ticket in fifty years. I can still see just fine.”
“My children are good children, still on their first marriages so I guess I did them good.”
“What church do you go to?”
“I was born a Methodist but I haven’t found one that I like since moving here.”
“I’m a Baptist, KJV.”
“I’d be willing to try a Baptist if it’s any good.”
“Well you have now found yourself a church dear.”
“I’m sorry I had to take that call. My daughter and her family are going to Virginia Beach and asked me if I wanted to. They would pick me up tomorrow she said, but Absolutely not. I’m
Good right here. She said she worry’s about me but I’m fine. I’ve done all of that already. The trips. The noise. No, I’m fine with my simple life that I have now.”
“Same with me. Since my Henry passed, I’ve been a lot more relaxed. He was so sick and the stress was making my own health fail. I’m very happy now. My kids think I’m
Lonely but I’m just fine.”
“Well that’s good. Let me get your number, because I need to get going.”
“Here”
“Yours?”
“Maybe I’ll run into you again soon, it’s so nice talking to new people”
“I’ll be at the library parking lot tomorrow morning at 6am, if anyone wants to meet for coffee.”
“Okay. Bye.”
From North to South 