A cacophony of coughs, ...

… sneezes and handkerchief honking were the sounds that greeted me as the automatic doors to Meijer flew open this morning. Right away I asked myself if I really wanted to enter this hot bed of germs. I grabbed a couple of those antibacterial wipes and swabbed down my shopping cart handle. I hoped that none of the people making those sickbed-like sounds touched it before I did.

Yes, I am a bit of a germaphobe.

Also greeting me at the door was a delightful yeasty smell which wafted from red and white bakery boxes emblazoned with the word “paczki” on them. You could buy your Fat Tuesday jelly donut treats now and enjoy them today, or, wait ‘til Tuesday and watch them get stale before your very eyes.

And then there was a massive display for Super Bowl Sunday … cases of pop in every brand snugged up next to the munchies and party décor, all featuring the SB 50 logo, just in case you forgot the big game was tomorrow.

Not to be left out were the Valentine’s Day goodies with all the hearts and flourishes and chocolate one could imagine.

The Meijer stock persons have been really busy.

I arrived early thinking to beat the crowd, but that didn’t happen – it was a sunny and bright morning and everyone was eager to go grocery shopping to lay in their provisions, then get out to enjoy this cool, but clear and snow-free day.

I had a longer grocery list but abandoned it as soon as I saw (and heard) the crowd. While I am fortified with a flu shot, all the Vitamin C from clementines and broccoli, plus the occasional bag of mini sweet peppers, there’s no use mingling any more than usual. I got the goods and got out of Dodge, so I could escape, hopefully germfree, and still get a walk under my belt.

I headed down to the marina and was happy to see the ice was mostly gone and the ducks had returned – there must have been thirty or more of them. There was still a fine layer of ice in some places, but the ducks didn’t seem to mind. Some of the mallards paddled along and dove into the chilly water for their breakfast without a care in the world, and, still others congregated noisily around the dock pilings; they were a rather rambunctious crowd, just like the Meijer shoppers who milled around the pop and munchies.

I stayed awhile and took in the scenery, then headed for home, energized by the trip and the sun in my face on this beautiful February day.

You can catch up on my blog posts before I started blogging at Patch in August 2013 by going here: http://lindaschaubblog.net/