First Snow

...but first, it rained, so everything looks as though it's glass; sharp and sparkly.

(I just liked the lines in this picture. I get all distracted by lines; they're mesmerizing to me, in a way.)

Black Friday

I know.

I'm a little early on this topic.

And WEEKS LATE on others!

But the topic came up at book club last night and I was thinking about it while running this morning, so I thought I'd just sit down and deal with it on the Chronicles over a cup of coffee and...half a pomegranate. Doesn't bode well, does it?

As you know, I'm not really a shopper at all.  Somewhere, I missed the girl gene that my sister (and the vast majority of all womankind) got.  It's the gene responsible for causing a female to excitedly go forth into the marketplace and seek the elusive perfect "thing" at 20% off.  It's the gene that brings women together in a time of bonding and chatting, roaming and sorting through bins and racks of "things" while discussing the mystery of the "why?" chromosomal creatures called "men" whom they likely left at home watching football or in the river fishing.  It's a drive, deeply ingrained somehow, that keeps the girls going from store to store even though they're tired and hungry.

Near as I can tell, it's Hunting Like Chicks. 

Note the similarities of hunting and shopping:

• You never really know if you're going to bag something great but there's always the hope.
• It requires a certain amount of patience and good timing. (Think two-fer-one sales...what luck!)
• The experience is usually well-planned prior to heading out...locations discussed and agreed upon (or not), supplies gathered, appropriate attire readied.
• It's usually an all day thing, even if there's a vow to be done by lunchtime. 
• As mentioned before, one expects to get tired and hungry.  This is just part of the "fun", right?
• If something exceptional is bagged, there's congratulation and celebration within the group, but there's also a small (teensy, really) amount of envy over the trophy.  Somehow, the pretty darn good buck/shoes that were scored earlier in the day are less...adequate.  
• Take granola bars and water.
• Wear comfortable footwear and dress in layers.
• Never be the first one to admit hunger or fatigue to the whole party.  This is perceived as weakness and will be fodder for taunting, later.  

See?  

I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Black Friday is the holy day of Shopping. 

It's like opening day of deer season in Michigan, I think.

Last night, I listened (with no small amount of awe and wonder) to my friends talk happily of past Black Fridays spent bonding with their female family and friends, and their plans for upcoming ones.  I really kind of wish I could be more like that; more accepting of the shopping experience, more interested in this process that brings women together in common celebration, more like the "cool girls".  I'd like to be able to share cool shopping stories of amazing deals with my Mom or sister (who, by the way, is a professional level shopper).  I'd sort of like the thrill of finding the perfect "thing"....at least it seems to be thrilling, from what I can tell.  But to be painfully honest, I'd rather be in a room of hungry three year olds, scratching their nails on chalkboards than to be shopping on Black Friday.  Or Tuesday, on any given week. 

Happy hunting, all!