Funny how a store can bring back a lifetime of memories. I got my first membership in the late 1900’s. One of the very first Costco’s opened in the heart of the Central Valley. My father was their biggest fan. He’d call from time to make sure the mastiff’s had enough kibble. He just wanted a reason to visit Costco again. I understand that more now, being retired myself.
Throughout Winterpast, so much of what I own came from Costco. Furniture. Kitchen utensils. Dishes. Glassware. Medications. Heck, even the toilet paper around here. Costco was my main source of survival and entertainment. I’ve bought carpet and blinds from their custom departments. I’ve bought new cars from their automotive department. About the only thing I haven’t experienced with them is travel, usually booking my own adventures.
While teaching and ranching, it was a store in which you could replenish the paper towels and bring home a ready-to-eat chicken dinner. VST could always find tools he was looking for and, of course, there were the unexpected items that flew into the basket while one or the other of us wasn’t looking, causing laughter at checkout. There was never a sour face when walking the aisles of Costco way back then.
These days, I usually shop Costco Online. Yes. Every single item is at least $2 more, BUT, the true savings is that I’m not in the store finding things I didn’t know I even needed. If you haven’t tried their online services, you might want to. In my experience, it saves time and money.
Yesterday was a day to fill my freezer, which I’ve been working on emptying for some time. I went to purchase steaks, ground beef, and chicken. Well, if you’ve been to Costco, you probably guessed I left the store with a lot more that just meat.
Driving west, into the first little town 36 miles away, I traveled through heavy road construction. Nevada Department of Transportation is retrofitting two overpass bridges that carry thousands of cars and trucks past our little town, 24/7. I live some distance from the interstate, but there isn’t a time of day that I don’t hear the traffic rumbling by. Some nights it’s louder than others.
Sunday morning at around 1:30 AM, things were really loud. A wrong way driver slammed into an oncoming semi driven by a husband and wife team. Well, the outcome was totally obvious. One dead wrong-way driver. One big rig team shaken up, but okay. As I drove by the scarred road at the site of the accident, it gave me chills. It’s impossible to go the wrong way on the interstate, unless you choose to do so with some sort of crazy death wish.
After a quiet 36 mile drive, I arrived to the usual parking lot craziness outside Costco. There we were. The early-bird Boomers, all waiting for the doors to open. It’s the beginning of the gardening season here and plants of all kinds were shelved and waiting for excited customers. Strawberries, hydrangeas, and lavender. Funny. Two of the three wouldn’t have a chance in the desert without lots of extra loving care. Unless, of course, one has a greenhouse.
Online shopping isn’t just for Costco. It works at Lowe’s, too.
On Thursday, I take ownership of one 10′ x 14′ greenhouse. Ready to assemble. I’ll tell you more about that tomorrow.
Whatever you do today, it’s a great time of year to inventory the contents of your freezer. Toss things that have been in there too long. Plan some meals to use up the things you have on hand. Out with the old, in with the new. Forget the snows of last week. It’s spring!! Barbeque weather!
More tomorrow.