Black Friday



Normally Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving), is slated to be the kick off of the holiday season and the day when merchants are in the black and out of red. All of this happens because thousands of us flock to the mall eager to spend our money.

Well, I confess to being one of the mob but I diverged ever so slightly. I didn't shop for Christmas gifts, we shopped for new Christmas decorations and then spent Saturday decorating. This little guy is our centerpiece for 2006 and once it's completed, I'll post a photo.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!



I'd never given much thought to which holiday is most pleasant or important to me, but as I've ahem, matured - it seems Thanksgiving has become my it holiday.

I'm guessing this is because it's the time when family gets together for no other reason than to give thanks, share a meal and spend time together. There are no gifts to buy or anticipate and no eager eyeing of the stroke of midnight.

It's quiet time.
Time spent sharing and talking.
Laughing and playing.

Of appreciation for what we have and each other. As the name implies, a time to be thankful and give thanks.

Happy Holidays!



I haven't adjusted to the fact that Thanksgiving Day is a week and half away when I'm assaulted with Christmas at my local mall. On Friday the local news reported that Santa Claus arrived at theTopanga Mall in Woodland Hills, CA, replete with carolers and fake snow.

I like Christmas as much as the next person but feel we really need to slow down. The news also reported that the average person plans to spend $900 this holiday season, up $200 from two years past.

I don't know where their stats came from, but I can assure you that I do not intend to spend anywhere near that amount. After hearing the upbeat spending forecast, retailers in So Cal decided to grab the eager spending beavers before they change their minds.

Dia de Los Muertos



What caught my attention at this altar was the calavera (skeleton) of an elderly lady and beside her the calavera of a dog. Near them was a photo of a Siamese cat and mutt dog. Clearly this elderly woman loved her pets dearly and this is what her family recalled about her. Not many altars include the fur companions of decedents.

When I die and if I am fortunate enough to have an altar, I want Buddah's photo, a photo of Boo & me, an iPod/vinyl LP/CD to represent music, a drawing of a computer, and a hot cup of tea!