Two young men and three young ladies

Three weeks without a post. I had nothing to say.  Then, in one day, I have at least three good stories to tell.  Well, I think they are good anyway.  

But first, a little rant about something that astounds me.  I've just heard on the radio that supermarkets here are putting up "Shop nice" signs to remind customers to not abuse the staff.  Really?  I'm glad I won't be going near the shops again between now and Christmas if that is a happening thing.  But then I remember that yesterday at the doctors surgery a young mother with two little children was very rude to the receptionist.  Because we are at Covid code red as I call it (it's complicated) the desk was set up in the doorway of the surgery.  The young mum insisted it had been 1.45 pm but it was already 2.10 and she'd lost her appointment.  The receptionist found her another time slot with another doctor later in the day but that didn't suit madam who spat out, "Bloody ridiculous" and turned to walk away, nearly knocking me over in doing so.   

I felt so sorry for the receptionist, she was obviously upset, I said something I hope was appropriate and reached out and touched her arm.  Then had to apologise for touching her and we both had a laugh and sanitised.  That's what the galloping covids has done to us.  I'm fed us with this climate of fear that our government and the media are trying to force upon us. 

Three times earlier in the day I'd wanted to give people a hug.  I don't cope with what I don't want to hear very well these days.  I know my eyesight has gone downhill quickly but I really wanted to hear differently from my delightful Scottish optometrist, or at least that a change of glasses might help.  Nope, this is it until I get the cataracts removed.  I miss reading.  Thankfully, I can enlarge the print here on the computer.

Anyway, to cheer myself up I decided to treat myself to lunch at a favourite cafe which I used to visit quite frequently but haven't for a month or so.  It was lovely to be recognised by the smiling Thai owner who asked had I been well?  Is the pumpkin and kumara salad still my favourite?  That's life as I know it and want it!

So, where are the two young men, you ask.  I'm getting there.

My next stop was at the supermarket. As I was driving in my phone rang. Seeing it was from my younger daughter I rang her back after I parked and turned on the air con as it was quite warm. The bad news was a student at my grandson's school has Covid, the good news is Aiden is not regarded as a close contact at this stage so should not have to isolate meaning Christmas is still happening at their place. 

The young lady at the entrance who keeps count of how many are in the store at any one time is a cheerful soul who has a kind word for everyone and laughs easily. She has one of those laughs you don't forget in a hurry and the security guard seems to keep her amused. But when I came out of the store I was her amusement. I said goodbye to her while reaching into my handbag for my car keys. No car keys, she offered to have another look in my bag for me, definitely no keys. She offered to keep an eye on my trolley while I checked the car and would you believe it? There they were in the ignition, aircon still running. The lass burst out laughing when she saw me coming back to her, brandishing the car keys. She assured me she would write to Santa and ask him to give me one of those things you wear around your neck, I think she meant a lanyard. She could have meant a leash.

I daresay you've guessed what happened next? Yep, flat car battery. I was just about to ring the Automobile Association for assistance when a refrigeration company work vehicle parked beside me and a young man got out. I quickly askd him if he had time to help me and he didn't hesitate. I had jumper leads in the boot and we tried those but they weren't long enough but he had some too and, yes, they reached. Honestly, the whole thing took about 3 minutes. He reminded me of my grandson, Michael so I told him I'd be proud if he were my grandson to which he replied that he wished he still had a grandmother. His cheerful kindness warmed my heart.

Next comes the second lovely young man. Actually this time it was one young man and one middle aged man.

As I was parking the car at my next stop the older man tapped on my side window. Startled me a bit. I wound down the window and he asked was I pulling in or pulling out. I think I may have frowned, because to me it was pretty obvious I was pulling in. Then I noticed a young man had come to stand in front of the car, pointing at my bonnet. They wanted to stop me in case I was pulling out with my bonnet not properly latched. My bad. When I dropped the bonnet at the supermarket I hadn't noticed that we hadn't put the battery cover back on correctly and that had stopped the bonnet from latching properly.

The older man drove off when he saw the young man was taking care of me. He then walked into the shop with me and made sure I had my mask on and scanned in correctly.

I must look dolally as well as old.

I don't know why I wasn't so successful with young men when I was young enough to take advantage.