NaBloPoMo DAY 17:
These days, I don’t go to the grocery store much. I’m shopping for one, you see, and us singletons don’t consume food as fast as, say, a family of four. Unless we’re depressed and completely miserable because some guy blew us off. Then all bet’s are off.
Ben & Jerry’s, take me away!
This particular Saturday morning was the first time in this entire month that I’ve had to shop for sustenance. And, as I entered the store, I had an “Aha!” moment.
Aha!
Normally, when I go grocery shopping, I run in and out as fast as I can, trying to avoid the traffic jams created by a throngs of shoppers with their menacing shopping carts, that they push and shove around the store, not caring if they bang into you or cut you off, or create a spill on aisle 5 that has to be cleaned up by some hapless worker bee. Sigh.
But Saturday was a slow day at the store because that’s the day all my neighbors are watching their kids play soccer at the park or frolicking at the beach. So there I was, practically the only shopper in the entire store and it suddenly hit me:
This is a beautiful, well-kept place to shop! Indeed, the store manager has gone to great lengths to make the store attractive and inviting. For every piece of produce was neatly stacked. Every can, cellophane package, and plastic bag of rice or beans was in a precise, orderly row.
For a place that carries mass quantities of product, there was no clutter whatsoever!
Plus, there was romantic–ready for a tryst–lighting everywhere instead of that stark overhead glare known as florescent lighting. No need to worry about the lighting exposing every wrinkle on your face and the dark shadows under your eyes from lack of sleep. If only Colin Firth was shopping there, too. My life would be complete!
Indeed, looking around, I was very impressed. In fact, I’m pretty sure, that if push came to shove, I could see myself moving right in and happily living there amidst the leafy lettuce, sushi, Mint Milano’s and pineapples. It would be grand–assuming the store manager would allow it.
Of course, I’m sure by now you’re thinking, “Monica, it’s only a grocery store. What’s the big deal?”
I knew you’d say that, so I took some pictures:
Here in Southern California we see some rather exotic produce, like strawberry papaya and cactus pear.
And mangoes! They taste great sprinkled with Pico de Gallo, a very spicy chile powder.
This store boasts a variety of bok choy and some kabocha squash.
No florescent lighting here! Where’s Colin Firth when you need him?
What grocery store is complete without an autumn display? Even if it is 80 degrees outside. 😉
Top row: Strangely colored cakes taste like what, I wonder.
More cakes!
And, of course flowers.
Sunflowers, too.
Have you ever seen such a perfectly neat store? Gives me goosebumps. A store after my own heart!
Ready for Thanksgiving!
Note: This month, I’m taking part in NaBloPoMo. Thirty days, 30 posts.
EXCITING NEWS! I’ve decided to dedicate my life to flying kites because all this writing and posting is sure to turn my brain to mush!
Seriously though, I’m awarding a prize to the one person who has commented on the most posts this month. If there’s a tie, I’ll do a drawing. So if you want to win, make sure to comment!
Thank you for reading! Will I make it to the end of the month? Or will I crack under the pressure? Stay tuned to find out!
Monica's Tangled Web 
Oh Monica, if Colin Firth was walking the isles at your grocery store, I would relocate immediately, er, well, my family will just have to tag along. Could you let me know if you bump into him? Imagine not having to write notes to him anymore? Instead, we could compare fruit while we chat about his next project and admire the neatly lined shelves filled with colorful produce.
Those flowers are gorgeous, I love a clean and orderly neighborhood grocery store – the smaller the better. So nice you have one.
Thank you, MM! If I was at the grocery store and saw Colin there I’d pass out, probably knocking down all the cans of soup in the process. “Clean up on aisle 6!”
I can almost smell the fruit, the flowers and the clean. Kudos to store managers who make shopping such a pleasure, and kudos to you for such a pleasurable trip to the market. I must say your presentation and discriminating good taste are right in synch with this store manager.
The store manager is a man after my own heart. Hmm…do you think this means we’re made for each other?? 😉
A beautiful market. It looks like a fun day shopping. Flowers are definitely sustenance!
I love the flower section. Seems like they’ve expanded it, too. Very nice!
Obviously, this is NOT a Wal-Mart, ha! There, you’d be doing good to avoid the pushy shopping carts, the screaming babies and insolent teens, the “cleanup in aisle 5”!!
I’m impressed this manager took such care with his/her store. A clean, orderly environment is so much pleasanter to shop in. Maybe you should pay them a visit more often, Monica?!
It’s definitely not a Wal-Mart. Nor is it a Target or CVS. It’s my local grocery store! Because everyone needs at least one in their community. I have not been able to make the transition to doing my grocery shopping online and having it delivered. I don’t trust anyone to pick my produce except me! And yes, Debbie. I might start going there more often!
Monica.
Having spent almost half my working life in retail, I can appreciate the work and care that has gone into that establishment.
Many of the major chains could take note with regard to presentation, atmosphere, etc.
Almost tempts me to shop there but the bus fare each way would be a little steep I think.
Might be expensive to shop here, for the trip alone, but for me, it’s practically around the corner and I just adore the ambiance.