Sticker shock.
I had to go grocery shopping today. I only had enough dog food for today and the people food was running low as well. I carefully wrote out a list and planned on sticking to said list. As I was finishing up getting ready to leave, mom calls. I’m pretty sure she knew, but seemingly innocently asked, ‘what are you up to?’ When I told her I was going for groceries, she asked if she could ride along as she needed a few things. When I warned her that my list was long, she said that was fine, she’d find somewhere to sit down.
We get to the big box store and instead of heading in different directions, we both ended up on the same aisle. She needed something they didn’t have, but I did get my contact solution. Then, we divided.
I made my way to the pet food and found what I needed. Today’s pet food needs ran my bill up due to needing more than usual, but thankfully no dry cat food thanks to a gift from a friend. Then, it was off to run the grocery gauntlet. They still didn’t have the pizza that my son favors, but they had alternate that would work. I found the items I was looking for, marking them off the list one by one. I was really good at sticking almost exclusively to the list. Sadly, even managing that, when she began scanning my groceries, adding to the total one at a time, my heart was sinking. When I told my son how much the groceries were, he asked why I bought so much. I told him that I didn’t, but things had jumped so much. I bought very little meat, I couldn’t afford it. Steaks were thirty dollars and up. Small packages of pork were ten and up. The package size of hamburger that I usually buy, had jumped nearly five dollars.
Its scary times.
I got mom and I home, carried her purchases inside and came home. I got my purchases inside and began putting things away. By the time I had finished I was smothering. The temperature was warm, but the humidity levels were high. I changed into shorts and began opening windows and turning on ceiling fans. I’m not complaining though, I can deal with warmth much better than I can cold. I brewed a pot of coffee and made myself comfortable in here. I sat watching the cats outside, the half grown kittens watching the leaves fall with a mix of curiosity and confusion.
I was sitting here a little while ago and listened as acorns began falling striking the roof. I listened for a few moments then wondered how far I had pulled the jeep into the carport. Grabbing the key I went outside and finished pulling into a safe port of call. Shortly afterward the rain that had been threatening off and on, finally began to fall heavily. No storm, just a heavy rain, and dogs standing outside the door crying wanting inside. Standing in the rain, rather than sprawl out in the front porch.
My two dogs, our official cat and the not so stray cats to a degree, depend on me. They know I am going to make sure they don’t go hungry or thirsty. They have a place to sleep. They are safe. The official pets, trust me without doubt. Showing in the ways they are able, that they believe in me and my care for them. They love us, and seek to be close to us.
Watching them, teaches me. They remind me with their actions, that When I became a Believer, a Follower of Christ, I became a part of God’s family. An adopted child of God. Who loves me, and will provide for my needs. That provision can come in many forms. A family who are also members of the church family I am part of, has given us a lot of firewood. We will be warm when winter arrives. My garden, such as it was, did well and the freezer is stocked with vegetables. I am healthy enough that I can do most of the things I want, intelligent and understanding enough, to figure things out. Financially stable enough that the bills are paid. He has brought me to a level of peace in where I am in this journey. I know, I am blessed.
Words from The Dirt Road 