Counting the squares  in the bathroom

 And you know I am not talking about tile squares either.  Nope, it’s the TP.
No more large, fluffy luxurious wades of whiteness with which to do the job. Now I’m trying to judge the minimum for completing the task.  
I’m also still trying to figure out a lot of things in the current, unprecedented situation, not the least of which is the run on and hoarding of TP. 
Now, I’ve often acknowledged that one of the greatest inventions of modern times is TP. I’m certainly thankful to live in a time and place with an abundance of the stuff.  
At least there used to be an abundance. But let me ask you this, if we run out of food, will there be a need for TP?
Truth be told, if you live in the boonies as we do in Sierra La Sal, you tend to be prepared for emergencies, including keeping supplies on hand of the things regularly needed.
That includes food and other necessities. At our house we try to keep a two-month supply of paper towels and toilet paper.  
If you have an item you regularly use, when buying at the grocery store, it is easy to buy an extra – or maybe even a case of said item.
La Sal folks have established a Facebook site:  “La Sal Barter and Trade.”  A lot more than just battering and trade gets posted there, including social events and neighborly comments.  
Lately, postings have included, “I have toilet paper if you need it.”  
One neighbor announced he had potatoes from last summer’s garden and would give five pounds per family to anyone in need.  
Sure beats those hoodlums who are hocking TP on corners for exorbitant prices. They should be stoned! (In the biblical sense, not the new world one.)
Like other schools, La Sal Elementary personnel are on the job every day assuring that learning still occurs despite the “stay at home” edict.  Sack lunches are also available every day from 11:30 to 12:30, and folks line up in vehicles to retrieve them. 
Ana’s La Sal Store is still in operation and is stocked with basic supplies such as bread, milk, chips, beer, cigs, fuel – and yes – TP.  
As a courtesy to customers, they laid in a supply of TP a few weeks ago. Then someone stopped by and bought it all before someone could think to say that there was a limit. Some people!
On the social scene – oh, wait, there is no social scene. 
We are all staying home, kinda. In our community it is easy to be out and about and still stay a social distance apart. Why, we can be six feet, 60 feet, or even six miles apart if we want.  
We have so much beautiful, wide-open country in which to live and recreate without fear of exposure to nasty germs.
I will admit that things do change rapidly, as in day to day state and worldwide. Things that I did a few days ago, I won’t do now.
I masked up and went into the grocery store last week in town. Now I’m not even hanging out at Ana’s or the post office. I’m still out and about in the wide open spaces breathing in the clean, untainted fresh air.
A couple of weeks ago La Sal E sponsored a clothing swap. It was strategically timed to coincide with the monthly food bank delivery. Or maybe it was just coincidence.  
Anyway, a cute young lady of about 12 came through the Community Center shouting, “Free clothes for sale!” at which point she talked me into a pretty, flannel shirt that fit just right. Good “salesman” that girl.
There will be a change in the next commodities distribution from the Utah Food Bank on the second Wednesday of April.
No one will be allowed into the Community Center to pick up commodities. Those will be boxed and ready to go as folks drive up and will be delivered to vehicles.
We will get through this; it is just a matter of time and taking to heart the common sense practices.