The Pony is well on his way to getting halfway through the first step. You know. Admitting that he has a problem.
We went to town today (on our third snow day) for the Walmart shopping. The Pony has an interview tomorrow with a local representative of Harvard. You know. The east coast Ivy League university. And Sunday, he takes off for a personalized visit at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. They even pay for the Marriott one night, and discount another. Of course his academic prowess has disrupted my household shopping schedule.
When we enter Walmart, shouldering our way through the crush of scofflaws exiting through the ENTER door, The Pony trots ahead to grab a cart for me. Today the first one he put his hand on had a used tissue laying in the bottom.
"No. Don't even think about it."
The Pony grabbed a second cart, this one with the back wire panel and child seat part stuck up like another cart was still nested in it.
"No. Stuff will fall out the back."
The third try had those flat tires that happen when the rubber peels off in sections, showing the white hard stuff underneath.
"Nope. Flat tires."
Fourth cart was a two-fer, jammed into another, and wouldn't separate.
"THAT'S why they were sitting out there in front, and nobody took them."
Fifth cart? The Pony reached for it, then pulled back and changed direction.
"What's wrong with that one?"
"It looked like it had blood all over the handle. So I figured you wouldn't want it."
Sixth cart was a charm. The Pony pushed out the child seat and flipped the blue plastic part over the leg-holes.
"This one should do."
Yes. I think our little Pony is starting to understand that all carts are not created equal.
Harvard should be no problem!!
ReplyDeleteWell...unless he has to make a choice between something in good condition, and something not.
DeleteA tissue in the cart, even I know better. I do tend to grab one that has that wobbly wheel thing though.
ReplyDeleteIn all fairness, you are most likely distracted by that encrypted shopping list written up by Mrs. C like she's a highly-sought-after secret agent code-writer.
DeleteI always end up with the cart with the wobbly wheel. Sometimes it only starts wobbling when I'm halfway done shopping.
ReplyDeleteSo YOU are the one who keeps breaking the carts!
DeleteThose people who leave their used tissues in the cart shop at my Walmart, too. And at least half exit through the door clearly marked ENTER. It's sad when you have to spend most of your Walmart time just shopping for a cart...but sounds like your smart little Harvard-hopeful Pony has that one down.
ReplyDeleteThose tissue people also inhabit my classroom a couple times a week.
DeleteThe exiting ENTER people are major thorns in my side, because The Pony forces me to walk through the proper door! I could go with the flow and avoid all the jostling and stare-downs, but no, not with The Pony. He must think it will go on his permanent record, and Harvard will find out.
What else is in Norman, Oklahoma? It sounds like it might be the Okie version of Kirksville... nothing but Walmart to entertain the young whippersnappers...
ReplyDeleteProbably nothing, which will not matter to The Pony, who will only see the inside of a dorm room and classrooms. There are probably fewer tattoo parlors and strip clubs than Genius has in College Town, which is quite near an Army basic training stronghold.
DeleteHarvard bound and adept at maneuvering through
ReplyDeleteWalmart? Your boy is galloping!
He's feelin' his oats.
DeleteWow! Hah-vahd! That boy has some class. And now he knows how to pick a shopping cart, too.
ReplyDeleteYes, but it's safe to say he won't be pahkin' his cah in Hah-vahd yahd anytime soon.
Delete