The Wisconsin Trip – Part Two

As I told you¸ I journeyed to Wisconsin to be with Daughter #3 during the complete knee replacement and the follow-up physical therapy.  Her surgeon said the surgery was very successful, and her physical therapist indicates that she is doing really well and is ahead of the game in the progress of recovery.

As usual, I took too much stuff with me.  I thought I would be able to have more free time and do more of my own stuff while being a caregiver.  Son-in-law Bob set up their basement room in a very comfortable way.  Lady, Chere, and I were very happy sleeping there.  Their stationery bicycle was available for me; however, I was not able to use it because of my lower back problem and the shoulder difficulty that encroached in my life almost as soon as I arrived in Wisconsin.  Years ago, I had right rotator cuff surgery – twice because the first one didn’t take – and the current problem is very reminiscent of those days.  I’ve made an appointment with Reister (orthopedic surgeon) and will see him, next week.But, enough about “the old body hurting.”  More about the joys of seeing my granddaughters and their mom and dad, shopping at some of my all-time favorite grocery markets (Festival, Piggly Wiggly, and Pick and Save), and going to the Frame Shop for Christmas and thank you gifts.  It reminds me of The Shoppe Internationale in Georgetown.

And, no, we didn’t have “a white Christmas,” even though the part of Wisconsin where I was is significantly farther north than where I live.  Cold – yes!  Winds that made the cold even colder – yes!  Ice on the road – yes!  But, no snow.

I think the most discouraging thing that happened was the day I went to Jacob’s Meat Market to get a turkey for our Christmas dinner.  I’d called to see if they would do what I asked, and what  I asked was if I could get a smallish turkey (no fresh turkeys were available; but, okay, I’d take a frozen one and thaw it) and have it cut in half with one half wrapped for the freezer and the other used for dinner on Christmas day.  “Yes,” said the woman who answered the phone.  “Just ask the butcher.”  So, off I went to get the turkey.  I arrived at Jacob’s, was again told to just ask the butcher to fill my request, waited patiently in line, taking a number as directed by one of the other customers … and, then, it  was my turn.

An older gentleman waited on my and took my request.  About this time, I noticed a rather scruffy looking younger many at the table behind my server.  As my server turned to put my request before the younger one, this younger one slammed whatever he was working with onto the table, scowling at the older gentleman who came back to me with an apology.  “We can’t cut a turkey in half because every time we use the saw, it has to be cleaned.

Now, forgive me for my ignorance, but isn’t that why the butcher shop exists?  To serve the customer’s needs?  Isn’t that why I would go to a privately owned butcher shop?  I left there thinking my request was not unreasonable.  So, I went on to the Piggly Wiggly to purchase a turkey.  I was very angry with Jacob’s Market.  If I hadn’t been so angry, I might have realized that I could have purchased an even smaller turkey – whole.  As it turned out, I was just as happy that Jacob’s Market didn’t get any of my money.  And, indeed, the Piggly Wiggly had a turkey that I could turn into what I needed.  I didn’t bother to ask if they would split a larger turkey

I found that members of the staff at each of the markets I visited were polite and extremely helpful.  At the Festival, I could not find an item that I needed.  When I got to the check stand and was asked if I’d found every thing I needed, I honestly said “no.”  The checker stopped the check out, called for assistance and, before long, the product arrived for check out.  There were two men in line behind me.  When I had completed my purchase, I did remember to thank them for their patience before I went on my way.

The grocery stores I patronized during the month I was in Wisconsin have at least three things going for them that I wish would be adopted in my city and, maybe, even my whole state.  At the end of the aisle in the store, is a laminated list of products sold in the store.  You know, the kind of list that used to be above the shelves, telling what aisle the canned fruit or the pasta is located.  This overhead list is absent in many of my local stores, now.  This laminated list is very thorough, is a great help for the shopper, and, probably saves time for the employees.

The other thing I find extremely helpful is that in the parking lot, spaces are set aside, not only for the “handicapped person” requiring an “HCP” identification, but for “senior citizens,” requiring no hang tag, at all.

All in all, I think the trip was a success.  I think I was of help to my daughter and her family.  And, I loved sharing cooking responsibilities with Bob, a very good cook!

But, I ask you – when do you think I’ll go to Jacob’s for ANYTHING, ever again?

Be safe and be well.

The Cranky Crone

Thoughtful comments are greatly appreciated.