Today started like most Sunday mornings. I slept a late, got my son dressed, washed and out of bed. I noticed my husband was busy with tree and lawn work. At least he got an early start. Lately, I have been thinking that we all need to change some of our ways, not because we want to but more so that we HAVE to change. 
             Some of the ways I have been changing have been the amount of trips I take with my car. Since I commute about 35 miles total each day, it adds up. For the past 2 years, I have been car pooling when possible with a woman from work. This has not worked out with my new position. However, each route is carefully planned. I never go out of my way to do something unless it can be part of another errand. Today was a day to shop for groceries. 
             Besides getting groceries, I wanted to purchase some bush bean seeds. This is the first year I have started gardening. I have some five gallon buckets that I have transferred some seedlings my dad gave me. Save your buckets. I saw a fellow scoff some up that were free at a yard sale. They were empty kitty litter buckets. He said he would use them for tomatoes. Very resourceful! I love tomatoes and decided I am concerned about produce at the store. Over the years, I usually buy plum tomatoes as they are considerably inexpensive compared to the beefsteak ones I enjoy. This year I am having a garden and am excited about the possibilities. However, the bush beans were gone when I made a trek to Lowe’s, on my way to Walmart, Dollar Store, Bread store and Shaw’s and the gas station (Gulf). They are all within a three mile radius in North Windham. I did find a combination packet of beans which I settled for this time. 
             My next stop was the dollar store. I was out of hair conditioner, Band-Aids, bar soap and toothpaste. I bought some plastic bags to make some rubs for meat dishes. I also purchased some bread loaf pans because I want to make my own bread. I purchased some condiments, ketchup and pickles, soy sauce and many other items totally 21 dollars. If I had purchased these separately at the grocery store, I may have spent well over 35 dollars. I might tell you that the Dollar store was booming with very long lines. A few of us in line, all middle aged women, were very upset that a young teenager was working very hard to keep the lines moving with no manager in sight. He was apologetic that people had to wait. One of the women told me she had been there earlier and noticed that the manager had done nothing to help the young man. She explained she had been in retail and said a good manager would help to keep the lines moving. I agreed and before we knew it, the woman in front of both of us asked for the manager. A young woman came out from behind the corner and asked what she could do to help the woman. The customer’s reply was, “You could get on that other register to help this young man. Can’t you see the line is all the way down the aisle?” The manager replied, “I had no idea it was this busy.” The teenager who had been working so hard said, “I should have called someone out here.” Almost all of us told him that he was doing a great job and the first woman told him that the manager should have been watching what was going on. One woman said that he was the best thing that happened to the dollar store and said that she would hire him in a minute. It was really something to witness.
             Then I headed for Wal-Mart to get a couple of money orders and noticed there were no lines at this time of day. I saw someone turn in a wallet with a wad of money against the side of the wallet, held with an elastic band. This made me feel especially good to know someone was honest enough to turn it in to the courtesy desk. They called the fellow’s name over the loudspeaker while I was there. .Afterwards, I headed to Shaw’s to grocery shop where I bought chicken thighs, always a good deal, especially for the grill. I bought hamburger and made patties later. I bought some cheap steak to make some excellent beef soup with broccoli florets, also inexpensive compared to bunches. The soup has peanut sauce, a little oil, beef broth, egg noodles, steak strips and broccoli and sliced scallions. It is spicy and good. So I have been trying to stick to menus also as much less money is spent. I saw a few things on sale, so sometimes I purchased two items. I left the grocery store and only spent 73 dollars.
             My next stop was the bread store however it was closed. I will find one on my lunch break tomorrow when I pick up some stamps. No wasted trips. In the old days, much the same as today, we have to be sure to have our vehicles full of goods each way. An empty truck makes no money, just as an empty plane makes no money or an empty canal boat, or an empty wagon. We have to be more efficient. I also noticed while I was driving that every bus stop was full of commuters.
             We can block off rooms in our homes that we do not need to use over winter with plastic. I have done this in my own house for the past three years. We purchased long zippers though a catalog for about 20 dollars and attached to the plastic so we have doorways. I have one room and my front hallway gutted out for three years now and we still stay warm. We will get around to fixing all of it up sometime. I also made a set of window quilts from fleece that I backed with a liner and attached with Velcro to keep the heat inside. However this winter is going to be a challenge for many. Are families going to be living together again so they can survive? When did we allow this subtle change that all of us are oil dependent? We need to rethink many things. 
             Lastly, I think there will be a change from plastic to currency. People are sick of non tangible fees at ATM machines for their debit and credit cards. I have seen gas at the Irving station on route 25 in Gorham for 3.99 per gallon, IF you pay with cash. We all have a lot to think about before winter.