I needed a new pair of hiking boots. The soles of my old set had literally started to flap loose. I was beginning to look like Charlie Chaplin‘s Tramp. Before getting the boots, I decided to get a sketch of the large fish tank in the middle of the huge Bass Pro Shops warehouse store. Bobcats, deer and bears roamed above in a taxidermy diorama. Water cascaded down the false rocks into the tank. Behind me, rows of guns were for sale, but I’m not in the marked for an assault rifle.
While working on the sketch, a friend from Boston called whose back had seized up, making it impossible to get out of bed. Someone had to go over and help with getting dressed. It was apparently an awkward scene. Being on my own, the thought of not getting out of bed and staring at the ceiling was a rather terrifying thought. On the other hand, I was in the middle of the sketch and wanted to get back to it. I listened, but kept my hands active. That evening I sent several get well presents. My friend made a full recovery.
I found the boots I needed and went to the register. My credit card didn’t work. I asked the cashier to try a second time. I had to leave bootless. That evening I was contacted by my bank. My identity had been stolen and someone had tried to make purchases with my card out of state. The bank had canceled my card. Thankfully the incident didn’t cost me any money, but it was a major inconvenience. This was the second time my identity has been stolen. Last year someone filed a tax return in my name and got a refund. In this digital age identity fraud seems to run rampant. I have turned to using cash,which is a solid, old school analog way to make a purchase.