Friday, August 15, 2008

The Good Ol' Days

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Walgreens looking for glycerin which I had heard that you can make great bubble solution out of. I had visions of the kids and me, in the backyard making bubbles big enough for them to fit into. I had no idea where to even begin to look for glycerin. What is it even used for (besides bubble formula)? I had just heard that you could buy it at a drugstore. So, I asked a clerk. She said "I don't know if we carry that anymore." After I inquired where to look to see if they had any, she waved vaguely at the other side of the store and said "It would be somewhere in first aid." So, off I go to the first aid aisles. I look for a good long while, then I ask another clerk. "That would be in first aid." Gee thanks! So I ask the pharmacist "First aid" DUH! "What is it used for?" I ask. She told me a couple of vague things that I can't remember anymore. So, I begin to look for those type things. I even tried looking at the ingredients in products, hoping to find something that was glycerin based. I just figured it must be some old-fashioned remedy that no one uses anymore. No luck. I eventually gave up.

Disappointed, I was on my way home, when I noticed Rinderer's Pharmacy across the street. It's a mom & pop kind of a place that I'd never really paid much attention to before. I figured I'd give it a try. I stepped inside, and it was like stepping back into the sixties. ("Welcome to the Sixties! Oh oh oh oh oh-o-o-o-o!" -Hairspray with my Michael Ball. Quit it with the M.B. already, dork!) Everything there looked old fashioned from the shelves, their funky stockings, to the price tags on them. Clearly a store for old folks to buy their medicines, scarves for their heads, walkers and such. I decided not to beat around the bush, but asked the first clerk I saw. She was sitting at a large desk with another person across from her. I'm not sure if he worked there or not. They gave off the air of two people playing a friendly game of checkers, or something. They chatted friendily with me, and told me that I could make "bubbles as big as a house" with my glycerin. The woman pointed and said "the last aisle over there, against the wall, on top, in about the middle of the section." "Thanks!" I say and head over. I begin scanning about where she had directed. After about 30 seconds, when I hadn't found it yet, another clerk asked me if I needed any help. "Yes," I said, "I'm looking for some glycerin." She smiled and picked up a bottle and handed it to me. I proceeded to the check out lane. A couple of older women stopped me to admire my baby, and to talk about how they had had six of their own back in the day. Everyone there was very friendly. I left there thinking "I can't even remember the 'good ol' days,' but I think I miss them."

BTW, the bubbles ended up being a bit of a disappointment. Not really any better than store bought bubble solution. Maybe I'll experiment with it another day. It was about 500 degrees outside that day. I didn't really give it much time to impress me. So much for all that bother!

15 comments:

lizS said...

i love our little town because of all the little "mom and pop" stores. everyone is always so NICE. even the butcher at our little corner grocery, who is about my age and COVERED, head to toe, in tattoos, is super nice. i love it here.

timpani76 said...

I heard that clear Karo syrup works just as well as glycerin when mixed with dish soap, in case you wanted to try that instead.

I think the friendliness is why I always like going back to the South. Also, everyone in the south makes over babies like nobody's business.

Renae said...

I heard the same thing about the Karo syrup, but I also heard that they atract bees and wasps. We tend to have many of those around, so I decided not to try that route.

Shell said...

Next time you can also try a craft store, since glycerin is an ingredient in some candies, like taffy for a taffy pull. Just a hint.

Dana Cheryl said...

I miss the good ol' days too even though I really wasn't part of 'em!

Our drugstore in Cedar even has a soda fountain from back in the day.
You can eat a banana split while waiting for your medicine.

So cute!

Mary said...

Renae, I understand that if it is humid the bubbles last longer since they don't start to dry as quickly. There are so many different recipes for glycerin bubble solution on the internet, get a few of them and see which works the best. Also, it helps to have a really big bubble maker. I remember my dad going to Toys R Us when we were kids and getting this long red pole with a big piece of red stretchy elastic-y rope in a loop on the end, then he made glycerin bubble solution in a bucket and we made some really awesome bubbles with it. If you can't find an official thing like that, it should be easy enough to make your own out of a long piece of lace or something attached to a broom stick...

Eyepoke said...

Having seen Batman-(sorry you didn't get to come Neigh)- I have to say that your picture with the silly hat and that horky smile- the one next tp your comments- Is just a bit remincent of the Joker.

Speaking of which doesn't gylcerin explode?

Bruce said...

i asked the same Q john. she was like what to you mean. and i said "have you never heard of nitro glycerin?" im expecting a visit from homeland security any day now.

Renae said...

Yeah, and speaking of Batman. So how come for your "boys night out" I was the only person not invited? Ouch a bit!

timpani76 said...

I think I only got an invite to the "boys night out" because Erik & I were celebrating my birthday too. Birthday privileges!

Renae said...

Yeah, well I hate John now.

Anonymous said...

Everybody was meant to be invited!

The boys night thing evovled just cause it looked like Liz and Renae were not going to make it on account of sitter lacking, and Suzszzannnee (sp) didn't like Batman enough to come if Liz wasn't coming... then VA wanted to watch our kids at the last minute and anyhow sorry about hurting your dumb feelings.

J

(the dumb part was just a joke)

Renae said...

Well, I just figured it was because you all hated me. I only cried my eyes out and contemplated suicide for a few minutes. Then I decided you weren't worth it.

Actually I figured you would expect me to be at home with my crazy house of children, and I figured the thing just evolved that way. Just don't let it happen again, or I will get suspicous. I DESPRATLY need to escape for a while! Thoughtless git! ;) You need a flogging.

Renae said...

yes, I know I spelled desperately wrong.

timpani76 said...

You're so desperate, you're spelling it wrong! Help this woman!