[exhaustedmomma]

Those aren't the first 5 symptoms, IMHO; they're the existence or manifestation of the "thing". I don't wait for mandatory evac orders during hurricane season to determine there's 5 symptoms fixin' to wham my world. I don't wait for the shelves to be bare in the stores, for gas to be gone, or for roadways to be jammed. I sure don't wait for hurricane winds and rains to symptomatically present themselves to batten down my house. Nope. I get ready prior to hurricane season. I keep things up during the season. I watch and keep informed. When it's approaching, I'm doing those last minute things. By the time it gets here, I know it's coming.

Right now, I'd say... in 35 years of marriage, I've never seen grocery stores like they are now: out of stuff, stuff spread out to look like more, prices insane, and people's baskets nowhere near full. Worksmanship on nearly everything is terrible. I don't care where I go, somebody is talking about how "crazy" things are... one way or another.

I'd say that's at least symptom #1.

[blam]

" I don't care where I go, somebody is talking about how "crazy" things are... one way or another. "

Everywhere I go too.

Everyone I know packs a gun these days. I have one in my pocket and one in my truck...all the time, legally.

I was commenting to a friend when we went grocery shopping...I consistently walk out of the store without getting about 20% of what is on my list because they're out...the last time I was at the store I complained to the manager about it. She seemed helpless.

[KittenClaws]

” . . .Right now, I'd say... in 35 years of marriage, I've never seen grocery stores like they are now: out of stuff, stuff spread out to look like more, prices insane, and people's baskets nowhere near full. Worksmanship on nearly everything is terrible. I don't care where I go, somebody is talking about how “crazy” things are... one way or another.”

___________________________________

I'm glad you said something about that exhaustedmomma, I thought it was just me.

Particularly about the grocery stores.

Among available produce, the quality has decreased: old, moldy, weather damaged, etc., but the cost has increased significantly.

I actually bought the LAST bunch of leaf lettuce from the local supermarket yesterday (though it was domestic and USA grown produce does move faster)I paid $3.49. If it had been from out of country, I'd have passed it up.

Among canned and dry goods there plenty of out-of-stock items.

My weekly shopping trips are getting a tad bit scary.