“Butt-in-ski:” encounters with an automated mopper

Anybody else like to shop at big box stores with concrete floors? Lately, there has been a ripple, however. An automated floor mopping machine has become the bane of my shopping club existence.

It inevitably comes down my aisle, as I peacefully shop–beeping and chirping and spinning its flashing light. At least the contraption stops when you block its path; which I gleefully do, while waving my arms like a customer in distress.

Here’s what bothers me about“Butt-in-ski:” he has no driver, though there’s clearly a place for one. I mean, how does the public know this seemly peaceful machine won’t go berserk and parallel park in front of the rotisserie chickens? That could get ugly.😲 Frankly, it feels like artificial intelligence (AI) has taken over everything!

Confession: I’ve been tempted to commandeer the auto-mopper.

“I wonder if it can turn around in the men’s restroom?”

“I could drive it into the automotive department and ask them to rotate the tires.”

Welcome to my mischievous, boyhood level brain.🤓

On second thought, can I do better than a dedicated, driverless cleaning machine? At least it follows a thorough pattern; I just want to streak havoc like a rogue “mop”ster


My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: I have spoken it, I will bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Isaiah 46:10b, 11b (NKJV)

Kind reader, God will get the job done in 2024, and where will you and I be? Will we let Him take care of the mopping or try to do it ourselves? Worse yet, will we attempt to block His path—because we don’t completely trust Him?

Thankfully, the Lord is no “Butt-in-Ski,” and his universe-forming intelligence is far from artificial. He’s always working for the ultimate good.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Psalm 18:30 (NKJV)

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.


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48 responses to ““Butt-in-ski:” encounters with an automated mopper”

  1. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    Wow. That would be creepy.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thanks, brother. I’ve only seen one in the Sam’s Club where we should every couple of weeks. Our mutual blogger friend, Beth Alisan, says the one she often encounters has a giant stuffed bear behind the wheel. Now we’re talking; that takes the edge off of the creepy.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    I actually encountered one of these contraptions for the first time a few months ago. It was creepy. Loved this post—it gave me something to ponder plus it also gave me a chuckle.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I hear you, brother! I’ve done the self check out , but am not going to try the scan and go feature—where you use your phone to scan items and the pay with your credit card.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. jesusluvsall Avatar

    Automated mopping machine, self check outs, no wonder I prefer the small grocery store I go to

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Beth Alisan Avatar

    Happy New Year to you and Nancy!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I like the giant stuffed bear idea, Beth. It would make the auto mopper seem more friendly. Thank you for reading and commenting. Happy New Year, and God Bless! Doggie Hugs to Adi and Summer. 🐾🐾🐾🐾

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Beth Alisan Avatar

    Wow David! A great read to reflect on as 2023 draws its last breath and 2024 marches in. Though I know I’ll be tempted to to block the path or try to hop in the drivers seat more than once in the coming year. On a side note, our local Walmart had a huge stuffed bear driving its “butt-in-ski” for a season. Made the cleaning beast seem more endearing and less imposing.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. davidsdailydose Avatar

    All it needs is an orange paint job, a double zero on the side, and that famous horn!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Yes, commenters often think of other wonderful applications and analogies I haven’t considered. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Nicola!
    My wife and I have been on holiday for the past two weeks, and I suppose this has honed my (slightly suppressed) sense of humor. Normally, a great deal of my creative energy and emotional strength is taken up by my job.
    Thank you for reading and commenting. Happy New Year to you and your family. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. seeingliketheeagle Avatar

    Love this post and the comments add to its depth and fun too 😊 it took on a life of its own.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. DailyArmor Devotional Avatar

    I immediately thought of jumping that thing across the deli section like a pathetic General Lee wannabe.😂

    Liked by 1 person

  13. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Well stated. People are all over the place, but God remains unchanged—faithful as ever. Thank you for reading and commenting.

    Like

  14. davidsdailydose Avatar

    My brain used to be just like your grandson’s, Gary. I’ve mellowed a bit with age—thankfully. Still impetuous at heart.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. ephesians413 Avatar
    ephesians413

    “He’s always working for the ultimate good.” Thank God that He is doing just that. Certainly many among mankind are currently not, but God our Father is completely reliable.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Gary Fultz Avatar

    LOL…good one. I see you are tempting yourself all over the place. I have a grandkid that would commandeer it without even thinking about it (you are probably familiar with the type. His brain is a ways behind hands and feet. I’m glad God’s plans are a long ways ahead…and, they are better.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Someone else mentioned about trusting the Master Programmer. I didn’t consider that perspective, when writing, and it’s a good one. I’m glad my little story gave you a laugh. Yes, Nancy often keeps my boyish mischievous streaks in check. I find this both helpful and frustrating at the same time. 😊

    Liked by 2 people

  18. BerryBunch.family Avatar
    BerryBunch.family

    Me neither

    Still terrified by the people trying to do so 🫣😂

    Liked by 1 person

  19. musingsofmanettekay Avatar

    Thanks, David for the joyous laughter. The way you describe your boyish thoughts reminds me of my husband—he had a similar sense of humor. I can imagine him waving his arms and like your wife, I would be cautioning him about getting us kicked out.

    I’m so grateful I can trust the Master Programmer to clean up the messes in me and the rest of the world.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Come to think of it, Andy B, I don’t think I’ve ever seen parallel parking offered at a church.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. BerryBunch.family Avatar
    BerryBunch.family

    Parallel parking 😂

    The one thing church car parks seem to be missing (can I say that here without lynching?)

    Andy B

    And I do so very like the way your mind works

    Liked by 2 people

  22. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It’s ok. I’ll just keep a banana peel on the driveway. Stops them every time.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. God Still Speaks Avatar

    Oooo, that really did get creepy!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. davidsdailydose Avatar

    You may be right, sister Super-C, but the confounded thing always finds me first! Wait a second…what if it knows who I am!? This story just went from kinda cool to totally creeeepy.😳 I wonder if it has enough battery power to follow me home?

    Liked by 1 person

  25. davidsdailydose Avatar

    All I know is you’d better get there early if you want one of those tasty chickens. They sell out every Saturday within a few hours.

    Liked by 2 people

  26. God Still Speaks Avatar

    Can you imagine the chaos?! 🤣

    Liked by 2 people

  27. God Still Speaks Avatar

    “No AI was harmed!” You are too funny brother!

    Liked by 2 people

  28. God Still Speaks Avatar

    Well I figured it out, why it always follows you in whatever aisle you are in. Quit waving your arms in glee, blocking its path, to make it stop! It’s on to you brother! 🤣

    Liked by 3 people

  29. pastorpete51 Avatar

    Just topped off my morning with a smile along with a good lesson for the New Year. Thanks Dave. I think I might be tempted to jump into the driver’s seat on these when they come to my town!

    Liked by 2 people

  30. davidsdailydose Avatar

    This is the only place I’ve ever seen one. I can check about shipping “Butt-in-ski” to Alberta, if you’d like. 😀
    I’m glad the main point resonates with you. I’m planning for a purposeful 2024, as well—in the Lord.

    Liked by 2 people

  31. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar

    It has been fun:
    Arts/Crafts
    Board Games
    Group Activity
    And plenty of fun snacks

    Liked by 2 people

  32. Priscilla Bettis Avatar

    Fantastic analogy. Haha, “like a mop star”!

    Liked by 3 people

  33. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    I didn’t know those automated cleaning contraptions were “a thing”! I’ve never seen them in Canada. Gosh!!! But, for the main point, I want God to direct my paths in 2024!!!

    Liked by 3 people

  34. davidsdailydose Avatar

    We go back Tuesday as well, for a teacher work day. Students return in the 3rd.
    The winter camp sounds like a good way to keep kids fed and supervised.

    Liked by 2 people

  35. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar

    I will be back at work on Tuesday. We have been running a “Winter Camp” since 12/21 for the K-5 kiddos.

    Liked by 2 people

  36. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Me too, Barb. But Nancy says she can picture me being asked to leave Sam’s Club. 🙃
    Thanks for stopping by!
    When do you go back to school?

    Liked by 3 people

  37. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Yes, the wonder mop was unharmed during the writing of this post. I do however, enjoy challenging its intelligence. 😀
    How right you are, brother! God needs no programming, because He’s the programmer!
    God’s best to you and Susan. Prayers for 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and 🇺🇸

    Liked by 2 people

  38. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar

    David, I can picture you hoping on that contraption and showing it who is boss. Lol

    Liked by 2 people

  39. Alan Kearns Avatar

    I assume no AI was harmed in the writing of this humourous post David…well maybe tickled with a wee bit of mockery.
    Praise God our Almighty Creator, He has no need of a mother board, electronics or a programmer…He is The Programmer!
    God bless you and Nancy today brother 🇺🇲🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Liked by 5 people

  40. Betty Avatar

    Thanks, David! I do enjoy your blog, too, and I appreciate the positive and uplifting messages! Have a great day!

    Liked by 1 person

  41. davidsdailydose Avatar

    You’re welcome, Bridget!
    One clarification: It’s perfectly fine to join God in his mop up jobs—as long as He leads the way. 🤗
    Thank you for stopping by today! 🙏God Bless you, sister!

    Liked by 2 people

  42. Bridget A. Thomas Avatar

    Thank you for the chuckle. And the good advice to let God be God. I needed that reminder. Thanks, David! God bless!

    Liked by 2 people

  43. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Betty! The story usually comes first, and then the spiritual application follows.
    I like your extrapolation! It’s a good thought.
    Thank you for always being a good sport and also for faithfully following my blogging adventures.
    I greatly enjoy following yours!
    Blessings!

    Liked by 2 people

  44. Betty Avatar

    David, as I read I was wondering what the analogy would be. Your post made me smile. Beautiful verse – “…He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” And to extrapolate a bit – He will protect us from the mobster mop. And everything else, too.

    Liked by 2 people

  45. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It could happen. Oh, the scene!
    Thank you for reading and commenting, Joy!
    God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  46. joynealkidney Avatar

    Parallel park in front of the rotisserie chickens! God bless you, David!

    Liked by 2 people

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