Rant #3,867: Relax

Well, my Rants about my doctors are pretty much behind me, and I hope to have a "normal" time from now through the weekend.

Late next week, I have to have that cancer off my scalp removed, and then early the following week, I have to see if my detached retina continues to mend itself; if not, I have to have a procedure on that, too.

I hate it all, I am not looking forward to any of it, but if it has to be done, it has to be done.

From here on in, all I want to do is relax, and take it easy a bit, which in my life, is not an easy thing to do.

I have to work, which keeps me occupied, so that is a good thing.

I have my son's basketball and bowling all ready to go, and that is a lot of fun.

And I have my hobbies and other things I like to do, and I plan on doing them all in the coming days.

One thing I like to do is to go to my local record store, which among other things I had to do on Thursday, I managed to do.

This record store is more than a record store. 

It is a meeting place for like-minded people of all ages and persuasions, a place where we can browse the aisle for goodies while we talk with the owners and other customers about anything that comes to mind.

It is a very social atmosphere, and I can describe it a little better for you ... if you watched "The Andy Griffith Show" back in its black-and-white heyday, you have to remember Floyd's Barber Shop.

This place was more than a barber shop; it was a place where Andy, Barney, Gomer and the rest of the gang would gravitate to, not just for haircuts, but to fraternize, talk over their daily lives, and sort out a lot of things that were on their minds.

Well, this record store I frequent is the same way, and serves the same purpose for me.

Sometimes I talk a lot there while going through the offerings, sometimes not, but it is a place I feel comfortable in, a place where I can really relax in while shopping, something I ordinarily do not like to do, let's say, for food or clothing shopping.

But this place is different.

Yes, I shop there to supplement my hobby, but it is a bit more than that, at least to me.

I can talk about anything with anybody there, and believe me, I have done that on many occasions.

I have talked about work, my physical condition, my family and so much more there.

The owners are very nice, very knowledgable, and sometimes, they are the ones that start the conversations.

It is a nice place to spend some time, and yes, some money, but it is all worth it.

The whole is the sum of its parts, and this place fits that description.

Like Floyd's Barber Shop, it is one part retail establishment, another part gathering spot, another part social place, and another part, a vinyl watering hole ...

And I could go on and on.

I have been frequenting this place for years, and really missed going to it during the pandemic and when I had my leg problems.

When I was finally able, I even went there on crutches!

So it is part of my monthly relaxation ritual, allowing me to "get away" for a couple of minutes each month.

On Thursday morning, after I did things that I had to do--including picking up medicine for myself and my son--I ventured over to the record store, and spent a few minutes--and dollars--there.

With everything coming up in my life, I thought it was the perfect place to spend just a little time, and in addition to the conversation, I bought some nice things to add to my collection.

I hope that everyone has such a spot to relax in, and whether it is Floyd's Barber Shop, your local record store, or somewhere else, it really doesn't matter, as long as the place, and the people who are there, are enjoyable to you.

I have such a place, and I am very thankful that I do.

Have a great weekend, and I will speak to you again on Monday.