Plans

This morning I went out to run some errands and ended up at the grocery store.  Now I don't know about where you live, but the food store where we shop has trained their young employees to smile politely and then launch into the standard question game while bagging your groceries.
Here it comes.

Hello, how are you doing today?
Did you find everything you were looking for?
Would you like paper or plastic bags? (this one is so automatic, they don't even notice the pile of bags I've brought from home)

You can tell they are somewhat uncomfortable with this interrogation, and I don't mind all that much.  I feel kind of sorry for these kids,  coercing customers into small talk.  It feels weird.  What manager thought this was a good idea?  Anyway most of the time I chat back, but sometimes I just want to get my groceries and go.  Like today.  I'm trapped at the counter, the basket slowly emptying, lost in my own thoughts, mentally ticking things off my list, and then...

So what do you have planned for the rest of your day?

Ugh. I thought we were done.  In my head I'm saying...
Really?  Do you really want to know?  I doubt it. You're 18 and I'm 57.  Nothing I could possibly do today would be remotely interesting to you. (No kidding, I once had someone ask me what I had planned for the weekend.  On a Monday.  It literally stumped me for a second, as it was a week away and I had no clue).   Instead I usually murmur something about chores or going for a swim, walk, etc.
But I wonder what they would do if I answered their question honestly?
Maybe like this...

Well I need to hurry and get home because our new rider mower is being delivered.  The old mower finally broke and the grass has grown so high we loose sight of the little dog when he runs after the ball.  The yard is looking very furry indeed.  Maybe, instead of a new mower, we should get a horse like our neighbor.  It would be a good deal quieter than a mower and much more pleasant to look upon. Plus I could use their poop in my garden.  What do you think?  Hmmm.   But, as soon as I get home, I'm going to put all these groceries away.   Then whip up the sauce for the fish tacos we're having for dinner.  When that's done I'm going to make a fruit salad.
While all these delicious flavors are coming together in the fridge, I'm going to kick the dogs outside so I can pin baste a quilt on the floor in the living room.  Then next comes the quilt binding, cut and pressed just so.  I need to start quilting immediately, because it has to be completed for my niece's birthday party this weekend.  I know! Not much time left right?
Then I have to finish sorting through my books in the sewing room and tidy the shelves.  When that's done I might add a few rows to the blanket I started crocheting with Knit Picks organic cotton yarn.  The weight of it is lovely and I can't wait to use it this spring.
I'm also going to try and get a picture of a hummingbird that sits at the tip top of our tallest redwood tree and sings for a mate.....
What's that?
You just got called to another checkstand?
You're not going to help me out to my car?
But don't you want to hear about my plans for after dinner?
Smile politely.
Maybe next time then.