Monday Musings

  The weekend began with our participation in a live nativity. Church members portrayed the cast of characters. The Innkeeper delegated Mary and Joseph to the stable, represented by hay bales and a rough wooden manger, where a baby doll Jesus lay swaddled. We dressed as two of the wise “men”, heavily bundled against the cold night beneath our regal costumes. A  local farm  provided live animals: a curious llama, an unhappy sheep, … …And a very pregnant miniature donkey (we thought there might be another baby born in the stables). Family members joined their church celebration at an indoor nativity as shepherds. Yesterday we enjoyed a secular tradition: photos with Santa at the local PetSmart store. Our Shih Tzu behaved appropriately. However, our Aussie Shepherd/Heeler was not impressed with the Jolly Red-Suited man, even when plied with treats. The neighbor’s doodles posed nicely. Have you done any pre-Christmas activities? My writer’s group holiday party was cancelled d...

It began to snow this morning and has continued throughout the day, ushering in the holiday spirit. Cookie baking is underway. The first type, four dozen ruby and emerald sparklers. This batch serves as a representative offering, readied for a cookie tasting after Sunday’s holiday music. The recipe is easy: make buttery cookie dough, shape it into teaspoon balls, tuck three chocolate chips in the center, and roll in colored sugar. Voilà! A tasty, pretty treat. Inside, the dining room table is laden with gift wrapping and wrapped gifts. Outdoor lights brighten the home exterior, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The greenhouse is freshly festooned with green lights, a four-foot fir, and other festive trimmings. Our widespread travels are reflected in the holiday decor. A Christmas Matryoshka Doll reminds us of our visit to Russia, where we journeyed the breadth of the nation via the Trans-Siberian Railway. On the other end of the TV credenza sits a handmade Haitian creche, a reminder of ...

Cyber Monday is a marketing term for e-commerce transactions made on the Monday following Thanksgiving in the United States. Ellen Davis of the National Retail Federation debuted the concept twenty years ago, on November 28, 2005. Today is the online equivalent of Black Friday, the big in-store shopping day, the day after Thanksgiving. The cyber event provides an opportunity for smaller retailers to compete with larger companies. The strategy has been increasingly successful. When I opened my Email this AM, it virtually exploded with Cyber Monday sales and deals. Among my three emails: personal, Author, and miscellaneous, I received almost one hundred “special” offers. Did the advertisements influence my buying activity? Yes and No. I did make some purchases, which included sales. But, since I do a lot of my shopping online, I gamed the system. I researched sites for items of interest ahead of time, bookmarked the links, and returned to the websites today in search of bargains. BINGO, ...