I opened my refrigerator freezer and was startled to see a blue plastic Heinen’s shopping bag. True, I had just returned from the grocery store and had been in the process of putting things away. I had already arranged many Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine frozen dinners (there was a sale) in the freezer in my accustomed order. But what was a plastic bag doing in my freezer? And what was in it? I always take my groceries out of their plastic bags before putting them away. I looked inside the blue bag and found four frozen meatloaf dinners, that I did not buy and which were not on my receipt. Who put them in my freezer inside a blue plastic Heinen’s bag?
Each of my two sons has a key to my apartment. I thought I remembered that Bob’s wife is giving up eating red meat. Maybe she decided she did not want the meatloaf dinners and Bob brought them over as a surprise. I emailed him about my strange gift from either Santa or an elf. Or possibly him? He emailed back “Not me”. He suggested that the bag was included in my groceries by mistake when I checked out. This could be how it happened. But this did not explain how the meatloaf dinners still in the plastic bag got in my refrigerator freezer. I emailed my son Fred to see if he was my mysterious “Secret Santa”. “No ma’am” he replied. Well, it certainly wasn’t me. So I accepted that this was an
odd occurrence possibly related to aging.
Then I did the only sane thing I could think of and called the grocery store to report the frozen dinners that had accompanied me home. I hoped the customer service woman would tell me that the person who checked out just before me had contacted the store about the frozen meatloaf dinners she was missing. I envisioned a happy ending. But the customer service woman just told me to return the dinners next time I did my grocery shopping. I felt like I was acting as a model citizen. But still the person in me who put away groceries in a certain order, and had been doing so for sixty years, refused to believe I had put the blue-plastic-bag-enclosed boxes of meatloaf in my freezer.
First thing this morning I struck a match and lit my little red candle to burn cheerily while I drank my morning coffee – just as I have been doing for twenty-four years. Then I put on my warm sox and my bedroom slippers. Then I blew out the candle. Oh, dear. I hadn’t had my coffee yet.
poetrybyheart.me 
Sometimes our minds are so preoccupied, we do the strangest things. Two days ago I was going completely insane looking for my wallet. Panicked, I’m thinking I dropped it at the last store I visited – not inserting it into my purse properly… next morning, I brought empty soda cans for refund and my purse had popped open, maybe it was there! I only realised I was missing it when I was handed my change for the returns…
Once I tore my house apart and called the various stores, I figured I’d go for a drive to each of them to make sure before calling all the companies to cancel cards. So I opened my bottom drawer to give myself a piece of chocolate I had hidden there. There was my wallet. How? I cannot say for sure. Maybe when I grabbed all my stuff to shove it into the drawer for pictures (house is for sale) I had it in my hand? Makes zero sense.
Thanks, Dale. I guess it is the human condition we all share! Glad you keep finding your wallet. ❤
It is the human condition!
So am I!!
I have found myself with my hand hovering, nearly throwing in the garbage something important, finding that bit of paper I was going to throw out on the table with the mail. If this gets worse I am going to have to find a way to write myself notes, like they do in the time travel movies, so that the later me will know where everything is!
Great idea! I have searched the trash countless times since the days I was a bank teller to find scraps of paper I threw out.
Ah, V. I’m so addle headed these days, I could be accused of any number of weird things, as I sometimes accuse myself. You’ll probably figure it out eventually. Best to make sure the candle doesn’t keep burning…especially while walking away to get your warm slippers. 🙂
It is comforting to know that being addle headed is part of our human experience. Thanks for your good advice about how to avoid setting things on fire with my candle. 🙂
Meatloaf knew he could not rely on Mother Nature, what with climate change and sudden summer nights during winter months. He struck up a conversation with your Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine—she looked cute.
‘Sure,’ said Le’ Cuisine. ‘She’s a nice lady. Hop on. I can do with some company too.’
‘Thanks, lady,’ said Meatloaf. ‘This is looking even better.’
And Le’ Cuisine smuggled Meatloaf into your freezer. And the cold was perfect for cuddling.
Wonderful! I like your version of how the meatloaf landed in my freezer. 🙂
Lol! All I could think of was Meatloaf. You know from “Bat Out Of Hell” fame? (1977) They just made it into a Broadway Musical. Anyway, I thought maybe he had something to do with it. Completely not logical, true! Yet, I could see a very large bat flying it over while you weren’t looking.
It’s the only thing I could come up with, so I’m going with it! 😀
I love where your imagination takes you. ❤
❤ ❤
OH! Congrats on being Day 8 on Dale’s blog!
Thanks, Resa for your congrats. I am so pleased and honored to be part of Dale’s Advent Calendar.
Dale came up with a very cool idea!!!
She truly did. I am enjoying getting to know about interesting new blogs and writers.
Hmmmm I still think it’s secret Santa!! Time will tell
I like your way of thinking, Lynn. 🙂
How intriguing Ina – I wonder if a secret culprit will turn up!
I’m still thinking of possibilities but becoming resigned to not knowing.