Morphine would sound like muffins if you were speaking in a cloud or carwash. But the idea of the writer of this list expecting to pick up some English Morphine rather than English muffins lends to the magic of interpreting strangers' grocery lists. And that it was actually written as "Morphine" on the list means the only cloud this writer likely experienced was the pink one she felt before relapsing.
This list is clearly written by a female. The handwriting, vegetable items, decided periods on ends of items, and corrected writing... it just speaks female, older woman. Older woman because if you look at the handwriting - look at the way she moves from letter to letter... example: corn. See how the end of the c leads to the bottom of the o. The writing of this o is a sort of backwards approach to how children are now taught in handwriting (an o would start at the top rather than bottom). She actually uses an ampersand in her writing on the celery & milk entry. Many folks born after 1955 don't regularly use these in handwritten notes (however often still used in typed notes) unless otherwise formally taught.
And one more thing about canned corn: I have to give a high five to my English Morphine addict friend... canned corn is so much easier than ears of corn. Sure, ears of corn when schucked and grilled are so much tastier, but the volume of available good individual kernels of corn (for soups, salsa, etc.) that comes in cans makes it a pretty damn marketable item. Especially if the shopper is an older woman who doesn't have the time or strength (or teeth) to grill then slice off (or bite off) the grilled corn.
Heads of lettuce: not just one, but multiple heads of lettuce. Again, this speaks of an older individual who grew up in the Depression or perhaps more likely was raised in the Depression. She still eats plain lettuce and doesn't exactly see the value in other more expensive greens like spinach or mixed baby greens. And most other greens are now in bagged varieties, for which you pay much more per ounce.
Cherry tomato: I'm guessing this means a pint of cherry tomatoes, since it is singular. Have noticed that lovers of cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes are often folks who eat their fair share of vegetables, and often had or have their own home gardens. Yep, old lady.
Mushroom: let's just pretend she is talking about the vegetable. I mean, I think the English Morphine will be enough.
Cucumber: another item on which you will see handwriting that is not part of what is commonly taught now.
Celery & milk: for some unknown reason, these two are on the same line. With a period at the end. As in this is a definite need. Not just celery and milk. But CELERY & MILK.
apples: perhaps she does have teeth capable of eating corn on the cob.
As far as the paper goes, it is noticed that it is ripped at top and she only uses the bottom half for her grocery list (as it is guessed that the top half was already used). Another point toward a Depression era kid, knowing to waste little and make the most of anything - including free notepads. This particular notepad makes me wonder if it is a woman who recently lost her husband due to old age and she is looking to sell her house that they happily lived in for the past 58 years. The pain that would come with such a change in life and loss of love would help explain her need for English Morphine.
