See anything you like?

Done your holiday shopping yet?

I found this shop in Paris. It’s my idea of a bad dream. Retailers in the U.S. love to rearrange their stock so shoppers have to wander around aimlessly as they try to find all the stuff that was down this aisle or that the last time they were in the store. Around here there are often clerks who willingly help customers find things and they’re often even cheerful. That helps. But it can be maddening when you’ve got a list that’s carefully drawn to save time and then all that time’s spent wandering through the various departments where the item might be found…if indeed the store carries it. Two more shopping days ’til Christmas. Ho ho ho.

Solstice

Today is Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the official start to winter. We ushered out autumn yesterday with snow down to sea level. Although there has been snow in the hills in recent weeks, this is the first seen by flatlanders in a couple of years. Rain, with more predicted, means it’s not likely to last. So I guess if one dreams of a white Christmas yesterday was an excuse for an early celebration.

It’s the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Stay warm and dry.