Featured Column
Tis The Season To Go Shopping
by Leeuna Foster
I've never been a fan of Old Man Winter. To say that Jack Frost nips at my nose is a
gross understatement. My favorite winter sport is hibernating. When the mercury dips
below forty degrees I'm off to sit by the fire with my blanket.
Each year I promise myself that I will do my Christmas shopping early, like maybe
in July. And each year I don't. Unfortunately, I'm no better at keeping a secret than
I am with keeping a promise to myself. I would probably end up giving the
grandchildren their Christmas presents for Labor Day, and I would still have to
Christmas shop.
Since Thanksgiving is now a faint memory, and all the advertisers on TV and radio
are screaming about the scant number of shopping days until Christmas, I figured it
was about time I headed out to the shopping mall. I put on my winter wander wear
which consists of five pairs of socks, four mohair sweaters, three down-filled jackets,
two pairs of gloves, and a partridge in a pear tree... let Jack Frost try and nip that! I
was dreading the task, even before I opened the door and stepped outside. I really
wanted to stay home by the fire and roast my chestnuts, but my shopping days were
numbered. So, armed with a can of pepper spray in case a sale happened to break
out, and wearing my shin guards to protect against the inevitable shopping cart
injuries, I headed out toward the retail jungle.
After driving around the parking lot for forty-seven minutes, I finally spied a
parking space within throwing distance of the main entrance. As if by magic, a mini
van filled with teenagers appeared in the parking spot, making me wonder if I had
only imagined the empty space. They smiled at me apologetically as if to say, "We're
sorry we're younger and faster than you are." I smiled back and shrugged it off,
thinking, "Well, falalalala lala la! I'm a senior and I get free coffee, so there!"
I finally found a parking spot just inside the county line, and the fun began. Eight
hours and an entire check book later, I was all done...well all except for that special
gift for my hubby. I had the perfect gift in mind, I just needed to find the right color.
He already has my gift wrapped and under the tree. The package looks suspiciously
like the box containing the black powder rifle he bought me last year. I'm guessing
that this year, he bought me the Remington® Model 7600 High Gloss Centerfire deer
rifle I overheard him telling one of his hunting buddies about on the phone last week.
So I decided to get him a set of Royal Patrician English China in a delicate Summer
Rose pattern, along with some lovely kitchen curtains.
My task finally completed, I took a place in line behind a hundred and eighty other
noisy shoppers who were filled with the holiday spirit...or something? I breathed a
prayer of thanks for my shin guards as another shopping cart crashed into my legs for
the umpteenth time. Above the sound of haggard parents threatening to take away
the entire holiday and any hope of the next birthday from their screaming, crying,
tantrum-throwing children, I could hear the strains of the song 'I'll Be Home For
Christmas' streaming from the sound system. I heaved a sigh and wondered if I would
make it to the cash register by New Year's Day.
I swear...next year I'm doing my Christmas shopping in July!
Ask the Editor
Dear Editor,
I don't understand the laws of copyright. Do I need to register my work before I
publish it on my blog or website? Is it protected against theft? could someone steal
my story or article or poem if I don't register it with the copyright office?
beginning writer
Dear Beginning writer,
There are lots of people who aren't clear on the copyright laws. Here is a link to a
website that will give you all the information on copyright. I found it to be very
informative and easy to understand.
http://www.writersjournal.com/Copyright%20Information.htm
Thank you for writing to me and I hope this will be helpful to you.
Leeuna
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December's
Freebie |
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Are you like me and always find yourself reaching for
the dictionary when you are unclear about a word? I have found an excellent online
dictionary and Thesaurus and I bookmarked the page. Now, instead of lifting the
hundred pound book from the shelf, I can find the word with just a click of my mouse.
Here is the link to it:
http://www.m-w.com/
I hope you find it as helpful as
I have.
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