SLUMBER

I've been sleeping.

A lot.

I have done little else.

Only what was required to keep my home clean

and both of us in clean clothes.

Then I sit for a second and fall asleep.

 

 

I've needed it.

I've been working a lot of hours and days.

My job is physical.

Basically I lift weights all day long.

I don't just hang up clothing...

I hang up groups of clothing at a time.

Ten coats can be pretty heavy for an old silly rabbit.

 

Not that I am complaining.

Its good for the "bat wings" that form under the arms.

And it is exercise.

 

But its the mental part of my  job that exhausts me.

Answering questions like

"Do you have battery operated gloves?"

Or

"Can I speak to your Twinky department?"

Or

"Are you real... I mean a real person?"

 

 

Its the work politics.

Tush is an older woman with ego issues...

she can't stand Mike and Ike...

who are young women...

 telling her what to do.

It does not matter that they have worked there longer.

She imagines Mike and Ike plots against her.

Sigh.

Mike and Ike ignore and avoid her.

 

 

I am so sad that I cannot do the same.

I am locked into working with her and have to hear plots all day long.

Ugh.

Mike and Ike are not plotting.

They are doing their jobs. 

 

 

I try to do what I can to avoid work conflict.

I let my mind wander to other interests.

Let's face it...

my job is not demanding of actual brain power

so mine is free to play.

 

 I watch people.

We have an endless supply and variety.

I find the homeless particularly interesting.

They do some odd things.

 

There are grazers.

These are the folk who come in and graze off the shelves...

then hide their wrappers and opened packages, etc.

in the merchandise.

I found a half eaten chicken breast tucked between two purses.

(We have a hot deli.)

An empty can of Red Bull in a pair of boots.

 

But the ones that amaze me most are the ones who do their laundry

in our store.

No, not the kind where one uses a washing machine.

One pair of boxers is replaced in a package with a used pair.

Oh yuck.

Same with pairs of socks, shirts, pants, shoes, etc.

 

 

Everyone needs food and clothing.

I get that.

But seriously... ick!

 

Or they become angry when they cannot do or have something they want...

and defecate on the floor or benches.

I have never been that mad.

I am afraid it is out of my scope of understanding. 

 

 

I see homeless women in the public bathrooms putting on their make up

in the morning...

or taking  sponge baths in the sinks daily.

It makes me feel both sad

 and 

admire them for not giving up completely.

 

Some walk the store all night...

imitating shoppers.

Filling their carts with all manor of clothing and items...

that they never take to the check stand.

Slowly making the time inside out of the cold last as long as they

can go unnoticed...

abandoning full carts when they attract attention...

to flee back out into the dark.

 

 

I don't mind the lifting of clothing and moving them around all day.

That is a good kind of tired.

That is a day of good honest work.

Its watching work place pettiness...

and watching the sad lives of homeless human beings...

that exhausts my soul.

 

But there are highlights too...

a tale for another day.

Right now,

I'm feeling sleepy again.

Sorry I've been gone so long.

I have missed you all.

 

=:]