Black Friday

"The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands." ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923

It is indeed a "black" day when shopping becomes deadly. Even "blacker" when the people who trampled that poor Wal-mart employee don't even look twice at his lifeless body as they scramble over each other to get at that must-have-cannot-live-without merchandise. Really. Do any of us need anything that badly? Those people should be downright ashamed of themselves.

Most of us who were not involved will watch the evening news or read it about it in the newspaper, shake our heads in wonder, click our tongues at the absurdity, and let out a sigh of sadness over the depravity of human nature...which is why, as I did my research on this story, I was just as horrified by the immediate need for some people to blame--someone, anyone, everyone--for what happened. I have read (and commented on) a half-dozen websites and blogs that have blamed America, Americans, black communities, Western Culture, Wal-Mart, the security guards, etc. for this deplorable event. Greed, blame, anger...what a day for it!

For those of us at home still in our pajamas, staying off the mean streets of consumer hell today, I lift my cup in homage and camaraderie. It is indeed a good day to stay home in slippers and flannel, overseeing a bubbling, fragrant crock pot, watching an old movie or reading a good book.

In my pot today: corned beef, carrots, onion, potatoes, turnips...all from the local fields (even the corned beef is raised in WA and seasoned locally

In my DVD player: As You Like It - another wonderful Kenneth Branagh cinematic extravaganza

On my coffee table: The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

On my cd player: Billy Holiday's "Love Songs"

Outside it is wet and gray
so inside the children play;
a tiny hour of solitude
the children nap,
my interlude
is hard-won and
gratitude-laden;
a simple day--
a winter haven.


Video 1: "Underwear Goes Inside the Pants" - Lazyboy
Video 2: "Black Friday" - Cool Calm Pete