Day 221 on the road.

The Starbucks I’m at this morning is in the Casa Paloma Shopping Center in Chandler, just east of Interstate 10. For the second morning in a row I’ve walked the few blocks across the shopping center to the AJ’s Fine Foods grocery store, an upscale and chic “Whole Foods-like” place that features an outdoor patio, deli, and some of the freshest fruits and vegetables I’ve seen.

The deli at AJ’s was busy with soccer moms, bike riders, and young professionals wearing golf gear on their way to the local country club. I had to take a number and wait my turn. It’s one of the rare deli’s I’ve seen that had one of those numbering machines like you see at the Department of Transportation. I impatiently waited for my number to be flashed on the neon sign above the espresso machine so I could buy a muffin.

I counted ten people hanging around the counter area. A very attractive soccer mom was wheeling around a Gucci-designed baby carriage with sleeping child oblivious to the commotion she was causing by bumping and grinding her way to the front of the counter to view the selection of donuts, rolls, croissants, and other delicacies. When my number was called—I had number seven--she lied about her number and cut me off by telling the lady behind the counter, “I’m number six!.”

As I was contemplating this behavior, an elderly woman pushed her shopping cart past me and ran over my foot. Finally I was able to limp my way to the counter and purchase my pumpkin nut muffin. I survived the onslaught at AJ’s deli and returned to Starbucks and had breakfast in peace.

I’m on my way in a few a minutes to Fountain Hills, on the slope of the McDowell Mountains, to attend an art festival. Then I’ll do some writing later this afternoon and post some photos from my trip yesterday to the Westgate City Center. I also watched the Texas Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels last night in Surprise. By tomorrow I’ll have some new photos and video posted, so check back.