Deadlines and events kept the fridge and pantry from being stocked. H-E-B is nearly always closed on a major holiday, at least until the early or late evening.

Here’s what the foraging excursion revealed. Despite the moving air, several families were set up to cook in Stacy Park. The parking lot at Luby’s was jammed. We considered returning later if necessary. IHOP was hopping (though we wouldn’t have gone there anyhow). Magnolia had a line. Curra’s had a few people waiting outside. We didn’t pass by Katz’s or Threadgill’s.

It was on to the Taj Palace. At nearly 1:00 pm, the Taj was extremely busy. One entire room was set up for a very large group of adults accompanied by young children. Every time new melon slices were put out at the buffet, the kids got to them first. There was seekh kebab on the buffet, my favorite, and, as lamb, entirely appropriate for the day. The soup had popped mustard seeds in it and lots of vegetables. It was delicious. The dal makhni merited a return visit. People were still arriving as we left, and I think that it was to close at 2:30 pm. This is the new management and ownership, and they plan to be open on all holidays. The label of Kingfisher beer seems to state that it is now bottled in Saratoga, New York, of all places.

The Frisco has always customarily closed for Christmas and Thanksgiving. We thought that Easter was added to these. But we were wrong. As we came by, it was clear that the Frisco was open. Had we known, we’d probably have headed that way. Among the menu items of the day were roast beef and also roast chicken with sausage-and-cornbread dressing. The rush was tapering off. As we parked, we saw three different pie-boxes being carried out the door. We accounted for pie number four, apple.

At the City Market, all check-out lines were in operation. We were able to scoop up some needed rice and a selection of vegetables to go with the asparagus scored at the South Austin Farmers’ Market on Congress. An elderly man was shucking ears of corn in the produce department. By the time he was done, there were very few ears for others to buy. The lime index was five to a dollar. The sound system purveyed a repertory of vintage Motown, mostly. This is among the few places in town where The Villager and NOKOA – The Observer are both to be found.

At the Walgreen’s next door, one young man rang up everybody’s purchases, mostly small. The holiday aisle had been swept nearly bare. By the register were two or three marked-down Easter baskets and a half-dozen or so cream eggs to be had at a deep discount.

Albertson’s markets were open. The pulga over on Elmont was packed with booths and people. Fast Freddy was cutting hair. When we got back home, we could still hear all the bells from the churches and towers across the river. Seldom ever is it quiet enough these days to hear even one set of bells once, even on a Sunday, usually the quietest day of the week.