THE AGE OF PANDEMIC: CHAPTER 23 Where's Waldo

 Although much of the shortages have eased, each market run is still an adventure of "what's missing now"? Although the drama earlier was all about the modern equivalent of the old Sears catalog (easy on the swipe), we were able to "cover" our ends with an adequate supply. Taking what was available meant that nasty one-ply variety creating the need to use extra squares in achieving adequate clean-up.

My favorite "Puffs" (non-lotion) tissues were nowhere to be found and so made do with store and unknown brands (when any was available) created no doubt from recycled Sears catalogs (hopefully unused). Eggs and milk were frequently available, so no real deprivation of my raison bran fetish. (Appears to be a pattern here-mostly related to efficient elimination). 

As stocks were replenished and some of the hoarders have gone back to work, most items have reappeared. However there have been a few issues. Why would "Mary Kitchen Corned Beef Hash" be unavailable for weeks? At $2.79 a can I would think straight ground beef and potatoes would be cheaper. Also I can never find the small (16 oz) cans of original recipe "Bush Beans". That is exactly the size that two people using it for chip dip can manage; smaller can does not do it and larger cans languish forgotten and unloved in the 'frig. Crunchy peanut butter. What is it with crunchy peanut butter? Lots of creamy, but I need that peanutty crunch. And onion salt! Why would onion salt from all distributors go MIA? Lots of oregano, garlic...parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, but no onion salt? Ham slices are another precious commodity. I confess I am at the point of buying a whole ham, slicing it and vacuum sealing it. One week tomato juice; the next Italian dressing; the third chicken broth or cream of mushroom soup.

Different items have gone missing at different times rendering my grocery list more of a wish than a promise that is totally recyclable for the next shopping trip as I only cross off what I actually found. My favorite "Jello" sugar free creme brulee and "Heinz Genuine Dills" are only available at one store I visit infrequently so alas, I have learned to hoard a bit myself when the opportunity arises.

What is especially interesting is the herd mentality of the missing items. The entire shelf will be wiped out/empty. Which makes me wonder if people grab items indiscriminately when they see the supply running low. Like desperately scraping the last little pieces of gold fleck out of the bottom of the pan. "We don't actually eat this but by golly it's almost gone!"

On the plus side there is no doubt plenty of Foie Gras, Pule cheese (made from donkey milk) and wine. Lots of wine. One just has to make do with what one has I suppose.