What we found in the store was shocking. My first reaction was that I was in a Soviet grocery store. Lots of empty shelves and those not empty had been rifled. We were able to pick up some vegetables, frozen foods and, to my surprise, some sushi. There were no eggs or butter or paper goods. We found enough to feed us for the next couple of days.
I ventured to a full sized Whole Foods a couple of days later.
Still no paper goods, but I got some eggs, butter and Big Eye tuna which we used to make some Tahitian Poisson Cru Lime-Marinated Tuna (https://www.pbs.org/food/recipes/poisson-cru-eia-ota/). We had this in Tahiti and loved it. I made two batches and learned a lot. The second batch was definitely better than the first.
I made a third visit a week after we got to Houston. This time there was a waiting line and the sidewalk was marked at six foot intervals. We were able to stock up Maria's refrigerator and freezer to hold her over for a week or so.
During our drive from Dallas to Houston, we discussed getting Maria a car. She has been without a car since last August. However, with her need to commute to school now, transportation is needed. She decided on a Hyundai Genesis. She based her decision mainly on what she could afford to pay on the lease. It was not possible to test drive the car, but she negotiated with the dealer and they delivered the car to her on Monday, March 30.
On the Sunday following our return, I drove down to League City to pick up and drop off some stuff at Laura's. While there, I stopped at a local Randall's and was allowed to buy one package of six rolls of paper towels.
I picked up the ice chests I had left there back in January. Unfortunately, the soft sided cooler had been made into a rat house.
I presented the earrings I bought for Laura and Megan. They said they liked them.
I had decided I needed to head home. There had been increasing chatter regarding the potential for a nationwide lock down and I wanted to get home if that happened. I also wanted to stop by Morrill, KS to see Mary's headstone. While on board ship, I had sent a message to the monument shop in St. Joseph, MO telling them that Mary had passed away and I wanted them to finish the headstone I had purchased back in 2017 and place it in the Morrill cemetery. They told me this had been completed.
I left Houston Tuesday morning, March 31.
I stayed the night in Emporia, KS at the Hampton Inn. I asked the receptionist how business was doing. She responded that she was putting me on the fourth floor so that each of the guests that night could have a whole floor to themselves.
The next morning visited the Morrill cemetery. Mary's headstone was properly placed and in good order. I also trimmed and fertilized the rose bush and placed new flowers at Terri's grave. It was a beautiful Spring day in Kansas.
I arrived back in St. Louis around 5:00 pm on April 1 (no kidding). The house is in good shape.
