I would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving holiday. My day was truly blessed since i had all 3 of my children home for Thanksgiving dinner. Even though they do not live a great distance away, individual work schedules often prevent us from all being able to gather in the same place at the same time. This Thanksgiving day it happened and it was truly a joy.

As I write this, it is the morning of Black Friday. I guess a lot of you are out there amongst those wild hoards. I sit here in front of a cozy fire (it was 35 degrees outside when I got up) and watch the melee on TV as the lemmings crowd the malls and big box stores looking to save some money on a crock pot or new TV. I must admit, when I was a bit younger I braved those crowds for the pure thrill of it more so than to grab the bargains. However, as time marches on, society becomes more and more violent. Inevitably there will be some news stories of “mob rage” at some of the Black Friday sales. Sadly a few people will likely get beaten, trampled, or have profanities yelled at them by an angry mob trying to grab the last few pairs of discounted pajamas or whatever. I lament that the concept of a “peaceful assembly” is vanishing from our society, even while shopping of consumer goods.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=NJR7LuOysJ0

Please, be happy, respect others, stay calm, and enjoy your Black Friday shopping.