Krl and I left the compound about lunch time yesterday, headed to the big city. Nothing specific on our horizon, just a day out and looking for a good meal that someone else cooked!

As we drove we put an agenda in place, so when we hit town we had a purpose. Kohl's was the first stop, and they had some after Christmas sales going! Krl was going through the Junior Department and having a 'hay day" stocking up on size 0 pants! She encouraged me to go look in the men's department for their sale racks. I finally did and got me some new slacks and shirts, just in case I do get to interview for the GM position.

I didn't think that we were ever going to get checked out from Kohl's as Krl's check wouldn't go through. Finally we just paid cash and left. The cashier had given Krl her check back and it had an imprint on the back with a number to call for an explanation. The phone call told Krl she had no check writing history with them. I wonder if they realized that outside of one prior trip into their store she had no shopping history with them? Anyhow, it made her furious!

And I don't blame her!

Next stop was Academy. I had a gift card! I knew what I was looking for. New work boots! By the time we left there we had bought above and beyond the gift card. Of course! I ended up with jeans and some pocket "T's" along with a special gift for myself.

Our trek was going good as we left Academy headed for Alltel. Friday Krl and I had been there and they were covered up. We looked at their door and saw they were open on Sunday so we left to come back then.

I was pretty mad when we rounded the corner to find an empty parking lot at Alltel. We drove to the door and they had "new business hours" posted. Closed on Sunday. The new window sticker wasn't even straight!

Next stop was Albertson's and then we were headed to somewhere to eat. After a brief discussion we changed our plans and elected to go to the Cattle Baron. We both decided we wanted that tremendous salad bar to graze on. When we left there we were both disappointed with our steaks. I told Krl the steak I had at Logan's when we were on a Christmas shopping excursion was very much superior to yesterday's lunch fare!

Final stop was Wal Mart where we replenished our medicines and bought a few groceries. We did use our gift cards from Memama and Pepa to purchase a new comforter for our new bed.

Now I have to get the new bed in place.

I'm going to back track now, to the special gift for myself at Academy.

I corrected one of the great injustices of my life. To be honest, I am surprised I turned out as well as I have considering this monumental event in my early life.

In prior blogs I have talked of growing up going to the grocery store in Roscoe. While there were an abundance of grocery stores, our allegiance was to W.W. Shields Red & White Grocery. I can remember for many years coveting a pair of moccasins hanging in the front of the store. I don't know why they appealed to me, but I was drawn to them. As best I can remember they were priced at two or three dollars. Every time I asked my Mom for them I was rebuffed. I think she thought I was foolish. I am sure she thought if she bought those for me she would have to buy something for all the others. (I would have never told!). I know that two or three dollars then was a lot more than it is today too, and money was tight.

I guess I was drawn to the moccasins because being the younger brother, when we played cowboys and indians, I was usually the indian. But hey, I got to use the bow and arrow too!

Over the years I have lamented about the mocassins at Shield's, even wondering what happened to them when the store was closed.

Yesterday, while in Academy, I found a rack of moccasins. I not only bought me a pair, I bought Krl a pair too! I am wearing mine as I write this post, and they are wonderful. Best part was they were on sale. $2.79. I feel the urge to let out an indian war cry and run!

It makes me wonder what would be different in my life had I not been deprived as a child.

So it took me almost fifty years to right the wrong done to me, but I have succeeded.

Oh, and Mom, I forgive you!

I am going to close. I think I will kick back in my chair, put my feet on my desk and admire my moccasins.

Have a day.

FATHER, bless this week. Thank YOU for leading me where YOU have. Thank YOU for my new moccasins.