De-Stressing

During a time when a lot of stressful things were going on (though fortunately not health-related), I wanted a chance to lighten up and to take a nice, day-off drive—and I needed at least one silly shoeless memory for that summer. Although I forget how I learned about it, I knew that there was a gift shop in a nearby community that specialized in cat-related products: stationary, refrigerator magnets, tchotchkes as well as nicer items, and also toys for cats themselves. The town was an easy drive, so I put on my jeans and shirt but not my sandals and made a peaceful road trip to the community’s small business district, which had a pleasant variety of shops.

Sure enough, the store in which I was interested had an amazing variety of feline merchandise! I tiptoed in, strolled among the displays, and bought some things. Leaving the store with my purchases, I felt the warmth of the sidewalk, like a summertime patio, and crossed the street to an antique store. It was a little junky but had a huge metal Coca-Cola sign, featuring the famous sprite character (with a bottle cap for a hat), that covered a big section of an inside wall. I wondered who would buy and have room for such a sign. Then I padded over to a couple other places, carrying my purchases from the first store.

Altogether, a peaceful and childish, afternoon walk that cheered me considerably! As always, it was a nicely mischievous feeling to be out somewhere with free feet, conducting transactions and accomplishing the day’s tasks.