Virus Preparations
A few days ago I made a Costco run before they limited people in the store. There was no toilet paper already and I don’t remember them limited items more than normal. I picked up lots of things I could eat and would store. I am not a big fan of Spam, but got a case which was on sale. It is popular out here because it keeps in out weather and was a staple during the war. I also got a case of ramen noodles. These are things I can always save for a while or give away. Costco was out of rice but I got a 5 pound bag at a supermarket on the way home. It turns out I forgot two items and had to go back today for dog food and cheese (to hide dog medicine in).
So, I went to Costco after lunch today. I knew they were limiting the number of people in the store. The parking lot was bust but there were may spots to park.
The door was cordoned off so that people had to form a line and there was a whiteboard with certain products they were out of (things like rice [a staple here], toilet paper, Kirkland ice cream, hand wipes, bleach, etc). There was also a list of certain items they did have in stock. They asked people to keep a 6 foot distance in line.
The line went fairly fast and I don’t think I was waiting more than 30 minutes to enter. As the door they had a cart ready for anyone wanting one. The employees all had rubber gloves on and they had already pre-wiped down the handle of the cart for you.
The store was fairly easy to maneuver as it was not very crowded. Costco was keeping the number of people small. Nobody was rushing.
There were many aisles packed with items and I didn’t see anyone buying generators or cameras or anything, it was mostly food. A number of the items had a sign posted LIMIT 1. I didn’t need them but I called the farm I work with that gives tours and asked if they wanted me to get them a box of surface wipes (antibacterial/bleach wipes for counters). They did and the limit was 1. I met a farm-workers wife and she got one too to take to the farm. Today there were still people taking tours outside on the farm but keeping their distance. We expect that to stop in the next couple of days.
Although I only needed two items, I did stock up on some more food. A rotisserie chicken (limit 1), some candy, sandwich meat, cookies, bread (I think limit 1 – but then again, it is two large loafs), yogurt, eggs and (of course) beer. I hear alcohol is good for killing the virus and I can’t drink bleach 🙂
On the way back home I used the app to order lunch at Jack In The Box. Their dining room is closed so I went through the drive-through to pick up my order. An Ultimate Cheeseburger, fries and an Oreo shake.
I stopped by the farm, dropped off the wipes, ate lunch and picked up my Taylor Pork Roll just received by Fedex from New Jersey. Meat by mail… gotta love it. It was packed in an insulated box with bags of icy material. Only those from the North East will appreciate why I ordered Taylor Pork Roll by mail!
I’ll be working on my farm and don’t have much need to leave for the next couple of weeks. I was supposed to have a County inspection of my property on last Tuesday, but the called Monday and cancelled all inspections for at least 2 weeks and I suspect longer. They are looking at cesspools because of an EPA directive to start requiring shutting some down and stating to require septic tanks instead. I should be fine for decades I understand before I would have to replace mine.
I have had the farm really cleaned up and will be taking photos soon. The drawback to seeing every coffee and fruit tree is that I can now see all the spots where there are missing trees. I have a couple years to replace them with something because of the type of lease I have. I just need to better utilize my land and eliminate large empty areas. It is not really a problems, I have just been lax replacing trees which have died or been damaged by the tractor or weed whacker. Of course, replacing coffee trees will help me have a larger crop and more income in the coming years.
I am considering having the farm managed by someone as I am getting a bit old to be doing much of the work. Although it is not uncommon for farmers to be 70 or more, this one approaching 70 this year is SUPPOSED to be retired. It sounds like a plan!