Today Dennis had his Korean Veteran’s lunch in Mankato. I dropped Dennis off and I hit my list. When Carrie’s and Kevin’s were here several weekends ago, Kersten looked on the Internet for a clock repair shop. That was the first thing on my list. The fellow ask me how I had heard about his shop. Out came some tools and I walked out of his shop not much longer after that with the chimes of my 1960s vintage Westminster chimes ringing true their sound. A whooping $10.68. Wow, there are nice people around.

My next stop was at Jiffy Lube. My 18 year old car needed an oil change, grease job and whatever else came up. I pretty much go by what is recommended as per the mileage. The radiator has been flushed with new antifreeze . . . winter, we are ready. Their coffee was not the richest, but it was hot and well needed.

After shopping for some pantry items . . . there are always more than I have energy for, I filled the car with gas. Do we really need pantry items . . . yes! I don’t want to be going to the grocery store any oftener than is necessary. I like shopping from my basement pantry.

As we were in Mankato and why not make the most of the gas we spent getting there, why not stop and see Dennis’ granddaughter Amy and her new baby girl, Lu. I picked Dennis up from his luncheon and cleared the plans with him. Luella was born on Dennis’ birthday. A stop for a gift card and a greeting card had to be worked in. I don’t think the gift card will answer their needs of diapers for any length of time, but it will help. We called and mother and baby were home and would welcome us stopping in. My, what a tiny bundle Luella is.

Next stop . . . home. I have now caught my breath. The groceries are in the pantry cupboards, I fixed myself a cheese sandwich and am enjoying the re-heated breakfast coffee. Coffee is good at any time and hey, it’s not going to be wasted as shopping takes the starch out of me.