Tough week continuing...

Late last week I received distressing health news about a colleague with whom I once worked - been weighing heavy on me ever since. Praying for her is lightening her load I hope.

I learned this week, well I already knew it but I expected different, that lunch with a particular friend does not necessarily mean a light and lively time. Within seconds of sitting I felt the headache coming on, the utter oppressiveness of having to listen to a one week job sitting through the night with an elderly person turned into a saga of no interest to me, where no comment by me would be necessary or welcome. Indeed, any attempt at an interjection was met with "No, no, wait..." and on she went, on and on and on. The teller deemed it an "adventure." It was torture for me.

The food was served and although mine was good it was pitifully scarce. Her flounder, ordered baked or broiled looked suspiciously white and gleaming and cold. The manager came out, knelt down beside her, made a lame reference to a "sushi" problem, called her "deary" repeatedly, was obviously in his way being contemptuous and condescending or so it seemed to both of us. More fish was brought but it was obviously only microwaved. She picked a minute but did not eat it. Not a good flavour she said. She threw her napkins upon it and shoved it aside. She was not charged for the the fish.

Finally I escaped and motored closer to downtown to pick up my band chum with the heart condition. We went to a nearby French cafe, drank soda and played chess. I did not take my usual fast aggressive approach to the game which made for a more leisurely enjoyment of it but I did not come out so well. I was down to king, rook and five pawns, he had five pawns (in better position) king, knight and bishop when we called it.

Oh, question: Is it appropriate now to push your cart into someone at the grocery followed by a most polite"Excuse me" in order to pass? I'm just wondering because it happened to me and although I handled it politely, being polite was not my desired response initially. I'd give you more details about the who but I think you can guess.