Tues Ten 041310: Notices They’ve Paved Paradise

I had a crazy experience last weekend. I went to the local not-so-urban, but sprawling shopping center where they keep my local Kroger grocery store. Normally, that wouldn’t be all that crazy, but I went on a Friday evening at 6:00pm. That definitely contributed to the crazy, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

Do you know Joni Mitchell? I have her album (read CD), Miles of Aisles. It’s a great compilation of her work from mostly live performances with the L.A. Express and offers a nicely jazzed up version of some of her classic folk tunes. Big Yellow Taxi is one of the classics included. It’s the tune that sprang to mind during my crazy Kroger on a Friday at 6pm experience.

In honor of convenient, but harrowing grocery shopping and the incomparable Ms. Mitchell, I give you this week’s Tues Ten: Confirmation Notices They’ve Paved Paradise (and put up a parking lot). And just for fun and juxtaposition and sanity promotion, I’ve included a BONUS Ten: Proof Positives Nature Still Blossoms (this time of year in the South despite prevalent concrete). The photo edition.

1. If your car stalls at the front of the turn lane, you might consider switching on your hazards. Just a thought.

2. Those giant 15-passenger vehicles aren’t really designed to be able to make u-turn into the parking space angling AGAINST you on the OPPOSITE side of the lane. Just sayin.

3. Neither is the brand new-to-me mini-van I’m enjoying. But, to my credit, I know that and don’t try it.

4. Even if you are in the middle of a parking lot on a Friday afternoon sporting cute blue jeans and flip flops, it’s still a good idea to look both ways before crossing the street. At least that’s what Mrs. Kendrick taught me in K-5.

5. Wowza with the nice Spring weather we’ve been having here over the past week. The sun off the windshields is practically blinding me.

6. Where is a good master plan when we need it? Seriously. How many angling lanes of traffic can funnel into one right of way?

7. What very friendly check-out clerks and baggers my local Kroger continually has! Smiling faces were a craziness bright spot. [Self: take note.]

8. The appropriate sequence of scan-and-remove-quickly required to use my Kroger discount card AND my debit card at the gas pump is difficult to discern. But, admittedly, that could be the result of holding a sick baby all day.

9. Wait. There’s a gas pump in the middle of the shopping center parking lot. Ok.

10. I can’t believe I actually found myself complaining about having to park 20 spaces rather than 5 spaces from the front door of the conveniently-located store where I can purchase cold milk and pasteurized apple juice for maybe more, but still next to nothing (compared to most of the mothers in the world) every single day. Somebody’s spoiled, and it’s not the gallon of whole milk.

AND, the bonus ten photo edition…