Milk and Bread

Yesterday, at the grocery store, I stood in front of the milk display and laughed. Not only was it fully stocked but there were two rows of gallons stacked on their side on top of the upright gallons. At first I wondered why and then it hit me. There was snow predicted for today. Just a dusting with a possible one to three inches overnight into Monday. But that doesn’t matter. Any mention of snow in this area has people losing their minds. They rush out to the stores and nab milk and bread like there’s no tomorrow.

What I’ve never understood is why milk and bread? Why anything at all? Unless they were planning to hit the store as I was yesterday, why run out and get things they don’t really need? I’m forty-six and never in my life do I remember being stuck for more than three days, not even back when it used to snow here for real. And that was when I lived out in the middle of nowhere on a road that was sparsely populated and not high on the township’s priority list to get cleared.

The people scarfing up all the milk and bread live in the city. Granted, the snow removal in Reading leaves a lot to be desired but it’s not that bad. And there are bodegas on just about every corner if the streets are seriously too bad to drive on.

Oh, in case you’re wondering, yes, I did buy milk and bread yesterday. But I intended to. I always buy milk because there are many days when I have cereal for dinner. I rarely buy bread but I’d already decided on German bologna sandwiches for lunch this week since some lovely spicy brown mustard magically appeared in my refrigerator again. Good thing I was there early because I’d have been disappointed if I had to wait until next week for my sandwiches. I’m not exaggerating. I’m willing to bet that by four in the afternoon there was no bread left in the store. That’s how ridiculous people are around here.

It did snow a little overnight. The grassy areas were covered this morning but there was nothing on the street. So if anyone missed out yesterday they can still make it to the store today. They should be restocked and it is supposed to flurry again tonight.