I live in Newark, Ohio, population around 48,000, covers around 22 square miles, an average American city, in most respects.
I just witnessed a phenomenon, probably not isolated to Newark, or any other comparable town in American, or anywhere in the world, for that matter. Four o'clock, Sunday evening, temperature 45 or so, and we just left our local Walmart. We just have one, but there is another in Heath, a suburb of Newark, so in some respects, we have two Walmart's.
A storm is predicted for tomorrow, and bad or worse weather during the week into next weekend.
Walmart was packed, probably, as usual, only ten or so checkouts open. I noticed a number of FULL carts, abandoned, I think, they gave up and went to another store rather than wait in line, was my thought.
But, bad news for those who shopping after us, in some areas there was little selection, and in some no selection. I got the last package in the store of hot dog buns. The bread racks were getting bare, beef, little to none, lunch meat, going fast, hot dogs almost none. Carts were loaded with bottled water and other drinks. When we went in there was a new skid of driveway salt, when we left, it was almost empty.
After Walmart, we went to a nearby pet food store. I have never seen it so packed.
How smart are we, they are playing football in four degree weather in Wisconsin. Not sure the size of the stadium, but it looks full, probably 80 thousand or so, sitting in freezing weather, watching grown men play a game, with a ball. They have to keep the drinking water in warmers so it does not freeze. And many, payed hundreds of dollars, to sit there, and ad additional few hundred for warm clothing.
I bet the Walmart is empty in Green Bay, Wisconsin, they are all at the game ....................
"Till the Storm Passes By" ........... by Vestal Goodman
