75 Comments
Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

I hear you. I Feel the same way especially when they are in your personal space and then walk through the doors with you. Errg

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

I also feel the same way. I always try to buy from the Girl Scouts, because I remember going door to door as a child to sell cookies, and I hated it. But anyone else I really don't want to talk to.

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People who stalk others, be it at the grocery store, or at home, can be cheerfully acknowledged or ignored. Your preference. But they shouldn’t be blocking entrances, roads, or walking paths. Granted I’m being tough by stating they are stalkers, but they are.

If you don’t receive acknowledgment, and instead get a polite “no thank you,” that is your notice that any further action is stalking. Harsh. But sometimes we are in our own thoughts and it’s not a reflection on anyone else.

It’s okay to leave the scene of a potential stalking if you are not in the mood for the polite “no thank you.”

Only never allow others to dictate what you do or don’t do if it’s not a question of safety.

No judgment. It’s okay to be you.

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author

Your reply is the product of some terrible experiences, and I echo your message about trusting your instincts.

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Ohhhh what a rough day. Don't ya just hate those days. Ugh

Hopefully today feels a bit more in sync. 💙 sending good thoughts your way, the quiet kind. 😉

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

Absolutely love your “rant”….totally understood! Some days are just like that.💕

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I have no opinions on people accosting me a the grocery store because I just ignore them. But I empathize with having a German Shepard wearing a cone! Our GS kept crashing into doorways and looking pitifully at us after she was spayed. It was very difficult. Stay strong!

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author

Oh, he hates it so much!!!

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

I related to every word and experience. Grocery store gremlins and dogs in cones. A wasted day and minor annoyances! You are not alone but at least you write about it perfectly so I’m envious on top of it all!

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

I really enjoyed this. You are so relatable. I can be very social, but I’m also very shy. My closest friends understand me, but strangers have said I come off cold. I hope you are enjoying today.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

Totally agree with you, and I am irritated with stores that allow people to set up near their door. It feels like a gauntlet to get inside. Many years ago, I was leaving a drug store when I passed a table full of girl scouts. "Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?!" I replied I didn't have any cash on me. This small marauder in green whipped out a small white square and chirped, "No problem. We take credit cards now!" I had to laugh. And I did buy cookies.

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author

By the way, I may steal “small marauder in green” as a synonym for Girl Scout.

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Our guy had a cyst on his tail that exploded, leaving a crater behind. There wasn’t enough skin to surgically close it, so we had to just wait for it to heal. I spent several hundred dollars on collars, to no avail. I finally gave up and toughed it out. It took at least six weeks, but it finally closed up.

And I’ll do anything to avoid people at store entrances. Ugh.

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author

Glad your dog is okay.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

I'm with you on all of this! These groups (bless 'em) seem to rely on a particularly irritating mixture of guilt and public shaming. I have to run interference if David is with me, because he has a terrifying look on his face that was great for striking fear in the hearts of undergrads but really shouldn't be aimed at Girl Guides, etc. There is a safe house in town run by the YWCA, and I truly love these women and all they do. They come out once or twice a year and I just take David's wallet and give them a couple 20s, and that's that. What really gets me are the strangers who come to our door and behave as though they are long -lost friends who really really want to know how we are, etc., and are trying to sell us a new water heater. Thanks to Covid, and two very noisy dogs, we stopped answering the door a few years ago, and it's been great. Re eye drops, our 22 pound, 13-year old Scottie terrifies us (his bite pounds for square inches might rival that of a much bigger bulldog) so we learned quickly that it's a two-person job to muzzle him, do the drops, and give him a treat. The other dog wails while it's happening, so it's quite a production. I can't imagine having to muzzle Auggie and hold him steady. Dogs can be so smart but they never seem to make the connections that would work in their best interests. Rock on, Dog Mom ... you're entitled to be in a bad mood sometimes, and you're definitely not alone!

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author

German Shepherds and terriers are very much not the same thing. We don’t have to muzzle Auggie. In fact, when I say “take your medicine” he tilts his head back and opens his mouth. My husband figured out that the drops go in best when you approach from the front, while I had been approaching from behind. But…after a week he doesn’t startle at the drops, and doesn’t try to run away. He’s very intent upon pleasing us. Scotties, being their adorable pompous selves, are intent only upon pleasing themselves. And that’s what makes them so charming.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

I’m chuckling, I can just see Auggie being his usual wonderful self when asked. We learned so much about Scotties after we adopted Cedric. Lessons learned, eh? haha!

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author

I admire the way Scotties exude their very clear sense that THEY are Scotties, and you, poor creature, are not. Much, I dare say, like Scots, themselves.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

Auggie is such a dear, sweet boy.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

I feel the same way, but I am a card carrying introvert. I’m always happy if the people at whatever charity’s table are busy taking care of other doners and I can sneak by stealthily.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

I SO feel you - on all of it. Hang in there! Btw, a little something to make you smile - I’ve become a paid subscriber. Thanks for all you share with your readers and followers!

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author

Thank you very much for your subscription. It’s so helpful to have some gratification in the midst of the novel’s slog. I promise never to solicit your support at the grocery store.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

Win-win - that way I won’t have to work to avoid you! 😉

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

Yes to almost everything here! I hope you found the eye drops that you really need. In addition to the aggravations that we share, it drives me nuts how the grocery store clogs up aisles with displays of things I do not want to look at much less purchase. I hope you had a big glass of your favorite wine when you finally made it home!

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author

Maybe two glasses.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

In my area there are young people who go up to people in parking lots and try to talk them into going to some church. Ugh.

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author

Ugh squared.

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Jun 11Liked by J. F. Riordan

We certainly have the right to shop without being asked for donations. I particularly hate being asked by the cashiers to contribute to the store’s favourite charity. The only exception I make is aid for military personnel and their families.

I particularly dislike solicitors at my home. I just wave them away from the inside of a glass door while the dogs are barking so loudly I rarely have any idea what they’re flogging😂

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