Day 269
On the day of the eve of Halloween I found myself walking the aisles of my local Walmart.
Why? you might ask. Why indeed. I found myself asking that same question a few times during my visit.
I vowed last time I was there that I would abstain from going there again – unless it was absolutely necessary. And I either forgot or I figured looking for cheap curtains for my bedroom (as I can’t seem to find any anywhere else) was necessary enough to warrant a walk around.
And walk around I did.
And I have to say that Walmart really does have everything. And things that you didn’t even know you wanted. It’s like Ace Hardware in that respect. I can always find something that I didn’t know existed but must have in that store.
Anyway, across the aisle from the bedding and towels and shower curtains and bedroom and kitchen curtains and slipcovers and mats and seat cushions is a whole auto zone of car goods. Air fresheners to shock absorbers. An aisle over are mirrors and wall decs and lamps and framed art. I think the only thing missing was Elvis painted on black velvet. Give them time – I’m sure they’ll carry that someday.
Anyway … as I wheeled my cart past the plastic flowers and candles, paper goods and sewing supplies … I found myself following a woman (in her 70’s) in high heels and skin tight leggings (and for a woman that size/age she should not have been wearing either). The thought of a train wreck or really horrible car accident crossed my mind … I didn’t want to look but couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. It was either too horrible or too amazing not to look at. I don’t know which but it was like following a hippo on stilts. I was mesmerized and just had to follow her. And so, for a while, I did.
And as she turned one direction I went the other and what aisles did I eventually find myself in on this day of the eve of Halloween? Yes, precisely … the ones containing all the Christmas merchandise. Naturally!
You might think I’m crazy – but I would really have been crazy to try to get anywhere near the actual Halloween aisles … as they were overrun with children jumping about and mothers pushing carts with toddlers leaning out of them and teen girls and young couples all pawing at the mess and tangle of remaining costumes, candy and assorted accessory items. I passed by and again the thought of the train wreck came to mind. Again, I didn’t want to witness such carnage but I couldn’t keep my eyes from it!
So, my cart steered itself away from the madhouse of those seasonal aisles, past the pet aisles to the quiet corner which housed the holiday trimmings. And away from the madness of the day of the eve of Halloween I found momentary peace among the red and silver glittered balls and light-up reindeer, wrappings and trappings and ornaments and adornments.
And amongst all the glitter and gold I found something I’ve never seen before … and leave it to Walmart to have it … pine scented tinsel. I’m not joking – and I was tempted to buy it – but couldn’t bring myself to do so this early in the season. It was after all, still October and the day of the eve of Halloween.