Here it comes...

The "Holiday Season"... ready or not.

We have done the Black Friday thing a few times - with Steph and Dan, to buy things for the Angel Tree at their school.  Yes, actually got up in the middle of the night to hustle from store to store to get the most for each dollar.  Haven't gone on the hunt for ourselves... and don't intend to.

You can't turn on the TV or radio, or get on the internet, without someone telling you to "Get out there for the big sales!"

I saw a meme the other day: Black Friday - the day for frantic consumerism, with crowds pushing and shoving to get to the deals... the day after we all give thanks for what we have.

Yep, that sums it up.

We are changing our Thanksgiving Day routine.  Other than when we've been traveling on Thanksgiving Day, Joan has always made a big meal - turkey and all that goes with that, including a couple pies.  Tomorrow, we are dining out with friends, at one of the buffets being offered on the island.  All the usual Thanksgiving meal fare, with no cooking or cleaning.  For full disclosure, I have always stayed out of Joan's way while she does her cooking magic, making everything come out hot and tasty, all at the same time.  I am thankful that she doesn't have to work so hard, when it is generally just the two of us.

Yes, I know someone will be working hard so we get to have that meal.  I will remember that at gratuity time.

Christmas decorations have been in the stores since before Halloween.  No Lighted Boat Parade for us this year, and I won't be decorating the outside of the house, either.  We'll be motorhoming it for Christmas.  I am not being a Scrooge, though - we have picked out a small tree and some tiny decorations for inside the motorhome; some LED rope lights to outline the patio area.  I am child-like in wanting to decorate for Christmas.

On the scooter forum, the current scooter tag is "your scooter with snow."  While I like to decorate, I have absolutely no desire for a white Christmas.  I know it can be chilly in Arizona that time of year, but I am hoping Santa brings a warm season.  I have been a good boy.  Mostly.

The weather here for tomorrow is, according to the weather weasels, supposed to be "the warmest day of the week."  The predicted high locally is supposed to be 78º, mostly cloudy, some breeze.  Should be fine to put a nice shirt with some shorts to go out and say what we are thankful for.  I may miss the leftovers.  Once.

Wishing you safe travels if you are heading over the river and through the woods to be with family.

Happy Thanksgiving!