THE "NEW" AMERICAN WAY--AN OCCASIONAL SAGA

Perhaps it's because I'm "of a certain age", but going to the grocery store for a Shingles shot (or injection, as BC would so precisely intone) just seems sick and wrong.  "Got your list?"  "Yeah, I just need to grab bread, lunchmeat, lettuce and a Shingles shot."  No!!! One should make an appointment with her family doctor, check in, sit in the waiting room for hours, become frustrated and, finally, get her Shingles shot.  It's the American Way!  One should not be able to simply stroll past the frozen foods tossing an occasional item in her cart, then steer it right into the Shingles shot area and begin pricing vaccinations.  I'll tell you what it is:  it's all part of the coarsening of our culture.  Actually, I'm not really sure that's right but I'm going to leave it in for now.

Since I'm past the requisite age, had a bad case of Chicken Pox as a first-grader, and have spent the last couple of years watching friends, family and neighbors keel over with nasty cases of Shingles, I felt strongly that I'd probably pushed my luck about as far as I should.  So, in addition to my shopping list, I grabbed my Shingles vaccine prescription and BC, and we were off to the store.

Are we here yet?  Are we, are we, are we?

Can I have a balloon if I don't cry?  Puleeeeeease?

Whoa...this is beginning to feel just a bit more official and real now!  I think I'll just skip down to the signature line. 

This very nice Pharmacist who has just had a camera stuck in his face and wonders what expose' this photo will highlight, did hold himself together quite nicely and was an extremely  good shot giver (injectionizer?)

Bottom line:  No, I didn't get a balloon even though I didn't cry.  But, and I swear by all that is holy  this is the truth, I got a certificate that said:  "You're immunized!  Here is your reward...10% OFF Your next grocery purchase.  Thank you."

Oh no, no.  Thank You.