Memories….

When I get forgetful, I always make the excuse that at my age, there is way too much in my head for fresh memories to consistently stick.
But there are times I wonder when it’s more than just an overfull mental filing system. Today, as the car was refusing to start, I went to town on my own for some nessessary shopping and banking.
I went on the bus, and got off at the top of the town, then started walking down. Half-way down, I remembered why I had got off at the top of the main street instead of travelling all the way down. I needed an ink cartridge for my printer, and the only shop that sells them is at the top. So I started walking back. I passed a cash machine, and remembered that I had to draw some cash for the week; it was out of order, so I told myself that I would try another one later.
I got to the second-hand bookshop just two doors up from the ink-cartridge shop; having plenty of time, and a little cash to spare, I popped in. Twenty minutes of happy browsing later, I emerged with a 1985 copy of Fred Getting’s “Dictionary of Astrology; a bargain at only £2.50, especially as it was in near-perfect condition, with the publisher’s review slip still inside. (So who was reviewing astrology books in Dumfrieshire in 1985?).
Feeling satisfied, I turned out of the door and started walking up the street again. Passing the cash machine again, I remembered why had had been heading down the street – to buy an inkjet cartridge. So, for the second time, I turned around and trudged back.
I did get to the shop and bought my cartridge; by this time, my knees were starting to throb. Walking ever more slowly, I progressed back up the street and did my bits of business at the bank and the shops and the Library along the way, finally heading for the Co-op for the biggest shopping.
Once there, I remembered I needed a cash machine; the Co-op has one, but as usual, it was out of order. There was celery on my shopping list – the Co-op was out of celery. So I wearily headed for the greengrocers, which I had already passed twice, and got the celery. But at least the greengroders shop was opposite a cash machine that appeared (from the queue of people using it) to be fully working. As indeed it was.
By this time, my stomach was rumbling. My original plan had been to get all the shopping done, then spend the time waiting for the Post Bus to depart sitting in a cafe enjoying a rest, a cup of teas and a sandwich. But all this walking up and down and forgetfulness had eaten up the time; I now had less than ten minutes to spare. I dived into the sweet shop by Woolie’s and bought myself a mint chocolate bar to eat.
Finally, I got to the Post Bus, heaved myself and shopping aboard and gratefully slumped into a seat.
Then I remembered…. I had got off at the top of the town not just to buy an inkjet cartridge, but also to pay my month’s Council Tax at the Council Office across the road from the bus-stop! And I had completely forgotten about it until that moment, when it was too late.
But I was too weary even to swear at myself. Maybe I’d better have a clear-out of my mental filing system…..