WALMART AT 6:00 A.M.
I have discovered, in honor of Columbus Day and Christopher's passion for discovery, that the sunrise visits to Wal-Mart are the best times to shop there. I had returned from Little Rock this morning from dropping my oldest daughter off at the airport at 5:00 a.m., and arrived back in Searcy about 6:00. This is extremely early for me cause I'm a night owl. But for my daughters, I'll do about anything. When I hit the final exit ramp for Searcy, I decided to pick up a few items from the store and gas up so the empty Wal-Mart parking lot looked inviting. I found a spot close to the door, which was a treat in itself. The greeter had only me to greet and gave me a kind word and a nod, somewhat more personal than the Saturday noon visits. The floor was waxed to a shiney, mirror-like finish and customers were far and few between. The shelves were neatly and completely stocked. I felt like a celebrity when they sometimes shut down the store just for them! When I got back to the dairy section, near the rear of the store, the scenery changed just a little. The zombies that were working the graveyard shift where frantically finishing their aisle assignments and pallets were scattered blocking the soft drink section. I had to get my Pepsi One 24 pack and no propane powered floor buffer was going to stop me. I manuvered around the buffer zombie, gagged a little on the propane exhaust, and headed for the checkout line. The grandmotherly blue vest was extremely cordial and we hit it off very well. I thanked her for her smile and she left me with, " Now you come back and see me." I made a new friend. I guess this was my way of celebrating Columbus Day, in the name of discovery. I discovered the best time to shop at Wally World. I also discovered, when putting groceries away, that I don't use 80% of the junk in my refrigerator. What is that green stuff growing out of the top of that tupperware bowl? That discovery will have to wait another day. Maybe Columbus Day, 2007!  ¶ 5:25 AM