(I guess)

A few posts ago, I spoke of “the” challenge and I made it public that this challenge was accepted.  I’m sure you read it.  RIGHT ?

Well, I am happy to report, that I am declaring myself the victor.  Yes, I will proclaim that I won !!!

And yet, it’s a hollow victory.  I thought that victory would be sweeter.  Though winning is sweet, in this case, it’s also a bit anti-climatic. 

There was no parade. 

I’ll receive no championship ring. 

There was no interview from the locker room and no trophy presentation. 

There won’t even be t-shirts printed.

Yes, I could (and still might) take a victory lap around the store.  I’ll ask that they play the theme from “Rocky” on the store music.

OH – don’t get me wrong, there is a prize at the end.  For what is a victory without a prize.  Afterall, this challenge was for said prize.

I’ll tell the story…

When the COVID-pandemic hit we were all stuck at home.  I wanted to drink less soda.  But I wanted more than water.  I like something with taste.  I also like the carbonation and sharpness of a soda.  So I started drinking Sparkling Water.  But there are so many brands and so many flavors.  They were all okay – but that’s all they were, “okay” – just okay.  They were missing something.  I didn’t know what that something was.

Then one day, in my local grocery store, the Milton Food Lion, I found it.  Yup.  It was THE drink that hit all the right points.  It had a very tasty flavor that hit my palate perfectly.  It had the PERFECT carbonation.  It was crisp and sharp tasting.  After an hour or so in the fridge I was hooked.

               *Side Note 1 – I tried the Wal-Mart brands but they were all kind of flat.

I got a bottle or two to test, and BAMM!!!  That was the taste I’ve been looking for.  I looked at the nutrition label and it hit all the marks.

               *Side Note 2 – I see a post coming soon……

I now started drinking this.  I still have the occasional soda, but at home, soda is out and THIS is in.

So for all of you who have been asking and for my dozens of followers……

               *Side Note 3 – okay, not dozens, for my 10s of followers

I can now reveal this mystery item. 

Drum roll please…..

Food Lion Sparkling Water White Grape.  There are 4 other flavors, and they’re okay when White Grape is out, but make no mistake – this is worth any effort put into finding it.

And the nutritional labels says only 10 calories per 33.8 oz container.

Today, Sunday 10/29 Lisa and I were in the kitchen and we were out of bread. 

So I told Lisa I’d go to the store and get a loaf of bread.  To which Lisa replied, “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

               *Side Note 4 – Has she just met me?  Does she not know that I enjoy going to The Lion?

At The Lion at about 9:30 am, there were many bottles on the shelf.  MANY.

I bought 2.

Did I “need” 2?  Nope.

But it’s become a habit.

For the longest time, there was none on the shelf. 

There were usually the other 4 flavors.  And sure, they are adequate.  But they don’t fill the void that was left when White Grape was not available.

I am still at a loss to figure out what happened. 

And I do want to know what happened to this mystery guy that Charlotte and I was walking down the aisle with a full cart.  He had all the flavors in his cart, but he left some of the other flavors on the shelf while taking all of the White Grape.

For the longest time, the shelf was empty of White Grape – leaving me to improvise and adapt.  Which I did.  You read about it. 

Weeks would go by.

And just like that, now everytime I go to The Lion, it’s on the shelf.

Sometimes I don’t even get it.

But today, I got 2.

So there you have it.

Mystery solved – it’s Food Lion Sparkling Water White Grape.

But – in exposing the mystery, have I doomed myself?

See, my fear is that now there will be a run on it.  Everyone will be buying it and there’ll be none available for me.

But I risked it.

I only ask you leave 1 or 2 on the shelf for me.

Pay it forward my valued reader.

Pay it forward.

• That Guy