Tale of Two Worlds

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Thus, Charles Dickens began his novel "A Tale of Two Cities". My freshman English class read the book and I remember it fondly, though I didn't get far when I tried to re-read it a couple of years ago.

We live in strange times, don't we? Saturday, Terry and I went on a shopping trip that exemplifies the dual nature of our thoughts these days. First, we stopped at Lowe's and TSC and shopped for new patio table and chairs, front porch chairs, gas grill and a few hanging plants to pretty up the place. We spent a small portion of Terry's much-smaller-than-normal annual bonus. (We felt blessed to get any bonus at all, given the economic difficulties.) Each year since Terry started this job, we've been able to buy a few new things for our home with the bonus. We don't count on it and we don't factor it into our budget so it is a real treat to use it for bigger-ticket items like carpeting and furniture.

Our last stop was Wal-mart where I filled my list of flu supplies. I sent Luke and Cassie each a flu care kit/final exam care package this week. The kits included surgical masks, rubber gloves, ibuprofen, Tylenol, guaifenisen (the active ingredient in expectorant cough syrup), Girl Scout cookies I discovered hiding in the back of the pantry, boxed chocolates I bought with coupons before Easter, and microwave popcorn. Due to my regular stockpiling of health and beauty item through couponing and shopping CVS and Walgreens weekly sales, the only things I had to buy were the masks and gloves.

I called both kids to reassure them I am not completely paranoid, but you never know where this thing will lead. Of course, I was most concerned about Luke since he is in New York City where many cases of the flu have been confirmed. He rode the subway to a Mets game in Queens on Saturday. He is riding home on an Amtrak and by then he may well want to wear a mask.

Plan for the worst, pray for the best. I'm off to Adoration today. I turned my cell phone off this morning so as not to be called in to substitute teach. Since Spring Break, I've worked 11 of 13 school days and needed another break. How do women work full time?

And on the baseball front, the St. Louis Cardinals have the best record in baseball!! They are playing really exciting baseball this year and I've been listening to most of the games. Albert Pujols was National League Player of the Week last week and should be named Player of the Month for April. A commenter on MLB.com today said this team reminds him of the 1982 Cardinals. That World Championship season is the one I remember most fondly. I was living and working in St. Louis and attended many games that year. Often, my coworkers and I would decide at the last minute to drive downtown for a game. Games rarely sold out and we bought tickets at the gate. I hadn't yet thought about this season being like that one, but I know I am really enjoying lots of good Cardinal baseball. Also, this article in the New York Times sings the praises of Busch Stadium and St. Louis Cardinals history.