The hazards of grocery stores close to home... Part 1

Yesterday the car was in the shop and I needed some fresh fruit, milk - just a few of the basics. Fortunately, Food Lion is in walking distance, so I headed out before the heat wave set in.

My visit was successful and I managed to walk out with only two bags, one for each hand. A heavy bag for each hand.

There is a point in the trip where I have to cross a busy four lanes of traffic. As I neared the cross walk, I noticed a service truck parked on the side walk across the street.

How am I supposed to walk around that truck? I thought I was going to have to walk on the road against traffic to get around it and I thought, There is no way I'm going to be able to hurry with these two bags!

As I waited for my turn to cross, I set down the bags and tried to decide what I was going to do upon reaching the other side. Then the little crosswalk guy was up and I hurried to grab my bags. Before I knew it, the little man was gone and I was faced with a flashing orange hand! Those things always seem to scream at me, "Warning! Warning! Emanate danger! If you don't make it across in three seconds, you will be run over! Warning!"

And then I was full out running in front of about half a dozen cars, a purse thrown over one shoulder and a bag in each hand weighing me down. I felt like I had gained led feet and thought, I must look absolutely ridiculous running like this in front of all these people, for they have nothing better to do at a red light than watch a short woman run with grocery bags looking stupid!

I slowed upon reaching the other side while the little hand continued to flash. As I neared the truck I could see there was about two feet between the truck and the road for me to get by, even with my extra bag width. As I began to get around, the driver of the truck rolled down his window.

"Ma'am?"

"Yes?"

"You realize that when the hand flashes you have 20 more seconds to finish crossing?"

*Gulp* "Yeah, I just get nervous and hurry across. Thanks, though." I shrugged and laughed at myself.

"Okay. Just wanted to make sure."

I laughed. It was either that or die of embarrassment.