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Went out and did a little shopping today. Working in a mall, when the end of the workday comes, going shopping isn’t so appealing. Online shopping, good. Small stores, good. But still a few things were needed so off I went. The Tar-Jay wasn’t crowded, although the lot appeared pretty full. The shoppers were moderately jolly, and there were visible groups of men shopping together, urging each other to stay on task. Most of the families were pretty relaxed. Here and there Tar-Jay staff were kidding around over walkie-talkies while restocking and sifting through shelves. The register folks were pretty darn mellow too, so I count it all good.

Grocery store: busier, with very intent shoppers. Carts full of eggnog, chips and platters. Line at the butchers’ counter waiting for big roasts to appear with one’s name on it to be called. Fancy Schmancy crown roasts to be had in the cases too. People called out holiday greetings from one check-out aisle to the next.

All in all a good outing. All it needed was a few flakes of snow to give it that extra mid-winter festival feel.