While America now knows the Friday after Thanksgiving as Black Friday, for the last couple of decades at our house it’s been Tree Friday. For many years this was the day that Child and I headed out to chop down a tree for the holidays. These days I head down to Bachmans (they have a 25% off fresh trees on Black Friday and they are really close by).
In fact, it was 7 years ago on Tree Friday that I got my nickname from Jacque. Dale had written that day a great bit about Black Friday and used some Shakespearean language to get us going. My bit was:
But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the north and Hansen Tree Farm is the sun.
Open up, fair Tree Farm and await the crowds
Who, already stuffed and sleepy from yesterday
Swing saws and other implements of destruction.
Jacque came up with Verily Sherrilee that day.
So what about you? Taking part in Black Friday shopping? Online purchasing? Just taking it easy?
Trail Baboon 
I am still sick, so I am staying bome from work. I am not going shopping. I wouldn’t go shopping even if I were healrhy. Since we are traveling to our son’s home for Christmas, as well as having a rambunctious new kitten, we are not putting up a tree this year. I may put an order in for some Christmas baking necessities next week, but we are definitely low key this year.
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Sorry the “feed a cold” didn’t work – take care of yourself.
Tree, baking ingredients will be my only outings today. I make my gifts – but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t go shopping today. Not my idea of fun. I have some projects to work on but mostly just a non-stressed day for me. I might even get YA to come with me to pick out the tree since she didn’t end up going out last night!
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too bad to have time with your daughter messed up by not feeling good enough to be able to enjoy it fully
hope you’re able to come back over the weekend
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It hasn’t been too bad. All daughter wants to do is lie on the sofa, read, play with the cats, and talk to us.
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Today and Monday are supposed to be unseasonably mild. If I am smart, I’ll hang Christmas lights before it gets cold again. Also, Robin has a bag of daffodil bulbs that didn’t get planted. This might be our last chance to pop them in the ground.
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Oooh… thanks for the reminder. I also have a handful of daffodil bulbs sitting the garage!
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You are smart, Bill.
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And a smartass, too.
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I must be; the lights are up.
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If I’m smart, I’ll finish blowing leaves. Ugh.
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Rise and Shineth Oh Noble Baboons!
Forsooth, we need another talk like Shakespeare day. We need a Limerick and Haiku, day me thinks.
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I am watching the sun rise in Iowa out of my sister’s east facing window, with my feet elevated. My sister invited the entire crew to her house for Thanksgiving, then promptly broke her foot rendering her wheelchair bound. I was the substitute cook, trying to navigate around her wheelchair. There were 16 merry souls here and we had a great time. There is a delightful 2 1/2 year old who thinks his extended family is the greatest, most fun group of people ever.
It made me thankful for seeing that from the eyes of a child. At age 64 some of the family dynamics can be wearing and I forget to be thankful, although I know it is a blessing to have family.
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Some of us poor slobs have to work. I never, ever shop on Black Friday. However, Jim just started a new job at Target Tech selling wireless plans, phones, accessories and electronics. He just started Tuesday, so wasn’t trained in enough to work the Black Friday sales. His boss invited him to stop by to see what it’s like. So on our way home from Thanksgiving at his Dad’s, we stopped at the Super Target in Otsego because they opened at 6pm last night.
What a nightmare! It was insanity. I’ve never seen those types of crowds, people in every aisle, shopping carts overflowing with big boxes and $100’s worth of stuff, every cash register open and lines of people. It was scary and overwhelming for this introvert. I don’t have the time, inclination or money to even go shopping. I’ll just order a few things online probably.
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Black Friday (and now it seems to have leaked backward to Black Thursday and Wednesday) is beyond my comprehension. Just to save a few bucks on “things,” people willingly flock to giant stores and stand shoulder-to-shoulder, endure in endless lines, fight ridiculous traffic, deal with rude people, misbehaving children, screaming babies,spend money on junk they can’t afford (because more than half of all American’s live paycheck to paycheck!), to give to people they may not like but who are “expecting” a gift and quite possibly will end up returning it, or they buy gift cards that are a less-tacky way of saying “I don’t have any idea what to give you because I’ve never bothered to get to know you well enough to put some thought into a gifts, so here’s twnety-five bucks.”. etc., etc.?????
This is a great illustration of how we earned the moniker “Ugly Americans.”
I just. Don’t. Get it.
The worst part is our vaunted “leaders” (by default we’ve decided that those people are our politicians) LOVE this stuff because it shows the herd mentality of so many Americans. Easy to brainwash, easy to persuade to put themselves into miserable situations (because I can’t imagine the experience is anything remotely resembling energizing or spiritually uplifting), easy to convince to do something just because “everyone else is doing it.”
Okay. Rant over. Today I will do everything in my power to avoid anything that looks like a Black Friday mob. It’s going to be a beautiful day, so I’m going to walk to the library and enjoy our lovely trail system and stately old Victorian houses that are sprinkled liberally around the library’s neighborhood.
Chris in Owatonna
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Great rant, Chris.
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One of the things I like best about blogs. One can rant and the readers can choose to read it or not (after reading a paragraph or two and realizing it’s a rant.)
I read in the morning paper that Black Friday sales were up again this year. The Zombies just keep on recruiting new members, don’t they? 😉
Chris
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I alway avoid black friday shopping (which is no longer just on friday; I could not handle the type of thing that Joanne describe. I try to stay out of stores as much as possible between now and Christmas although, of course, the necessities of life mean I have to go to the grocery store or target at some point. This year, since I’m not supposed to lift more than 10 pounds for 11+ more weeks, I will probably not step foot in a store until February. The little gift shopping I do will be books for the grandkids and I can do that whenever I feel like it.
Today I will stay home, as I have been since the 14th, but today I can also eat leftover pie. Unless I find the energy to get to the library to pick up my book that’s on hold. That will be my sole venture out, although if I don’t do that, I will walk around the block. Woohoo.
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Ooh – Thanks for mentioning the library. I have a book on hold, too.
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I’m proud to say I got out of my pajamas (the motivation was they really needed to be laundered) and walked all the way to the library. 5 whole blocks one way – so 10 blocks total. As Bob would say – baby steps. I hope you picked up your library book, too, Anna.
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Last night I was driving home from my sister’s place around 11:00 and thought that the streets seemed eerily deserted. Randolph to West 7th is usually a line of cars driven by impatient drivers no matter what time of day it is, and West 7th is almost freeway-like. Last night I waited at stoplights all alone, and saw only a handful of vehicles. Went through downtown St. Paul; a ghost town.
I suppose if I had been driving through a neighborhood with some big box stores it would have been a different story.
Today, I’m thinking I should do the Christmas lights and maybe pick up some pet supplies. Or I might just hang out. I dunno.
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I too will lay low today – it seems we’re all pretty much cut from the same cloth when it comes to Black Friday shopping!
I will visit my mom, maybe get her out briefly in the warm weather. Will go play the piano at a friend’s house while they are out of town, water her plants, and “spin the cat” in a desk chair… you have to see it to believe it.
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The irony of the “Black Friday” specials at the big box stores is that much of the bargain merchandise is manufactured specifically for Black Friday sales. Manufactured cheaply to lower standards than regular merchandise. It’s all a kind of shopping kabuki where the retailer says, “I’ll pretend to give you a great deal if you’ll pretend not to notice that it’s mostly crap.”
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Hmmm. That maybe explains why son-in-law a few years back was all excited about a black friday deal he got on a TV (he is cut from a different cloth when it comes to black friday) and two or three years later the TV broke down and was unrepairable.
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I think large screen televisions are the primary sucker bait.
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Good point, Bill This would hardly seem ironic to someone familiar with JC Penney’s marketing. They used to have falsely high prices on everything so they could run a sale every week to “mark down” prices. Along came a CEO who said, “It is silly to pretend we are having a sale every week. From now on we keep prices low every day.” He was fired after about a year because Penney’s had built up a clientele based on the false premise of big sales. When those customers heard there were no more sales, they no longer had a reason to shop at Penney’s.
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Yikes. The PetSmart that I stopped at to get some dog treats shares a parking lot with a Best Buy. Baboons, follow your hearts and stay home! It is insane.
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Or go to the library.
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Funny that Linda should comment on how deserted the streets were in St. Paul last night. I made that same observation to Hans as we were driving to Ann’s house. At 5:30 PM there were no cars in sight at the intersection of Grand Ave. and Dale St. When we drove home at about 8:30 PM, everything was very quiet, too. Guess everyone was at the malls.
Now, the carcass from Ann’s turkey has been simmering on the stove for several hours already. A little later in the day this broth will become the base for our traditional day-after-Thanksgiving dinner: Mulligatawny soup. Yum!
Other than that, the weather being so nice, I’ll take Bernie for a stroll perhaps in Lilydale Park. Then I’ll read, write a letter or two, maybe make a few phone calls; nothing too strenuous. The Black Friday sales have no appeal to me whatsoever; ain’t going there, no thanks. Besides, I have already ordered some goat’s milk soup from Barb, so my Christmas shopping is almost done.
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I’ve never tried goat’s milk soup but I’d be willing to venture anyway that it beats mulligatawny soap.
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Have you had mulligatawny, Bill? …chicken and rice and veggies and apples and some cream before serving (at least the Joy of Cooking version… p. 154) – yum! I may have to do this today, PJ.
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I think Bill is poking fun at my typo, BiR, goat’s milk soup.
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Ahhhh, yes… :}
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Well, to each his own, Bill. Hans and I both happen to love mulligatawny soup. Let no carcass go to waste I say!
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I’m sure it’s fabulous soup…and terrible soap.
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Reblogged this on Hunt's Clubhouse and commented:
A great way to kick off the holidays 🙂
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Welcome to the Trail, JL. You’re welcome any time!
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Thanks! 🙂
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I have never done Black Friday because I have never defined myself as a “shopper.” Of course, everyone buys stuff, so I am a shopper in that limited sense. But I don’t identify myself as a shopper, and I have never thought of shopping as a hobby. Black Friday is all about appealing to people who see themselves as shoppers and who get an emotional high when they score a bargain.
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Making Turkey chipotle chowder. It is divine.
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Ooh, that sounds intriguing. Will you share your recipe?
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3 c. Diced yellow onions
4 T. Olive oil
1 T minced garlic
1 minced jalapeno
2 diced russet potatoes
6 c chicken stock
1 1/2 c heavy cream
5 diced plum tomatoes, canned or fresh
2 c sweet corn
1 c grated white cheddar
1 c grated colby
2 T chopped parsley
3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
2 c turkey meat
1/2 t smoked paprika
3-4 T of a roux made with equal amounts of butter and flour
In soup pot, saute onions in olive oil until soft. Add garlic and jalapeno. Saute for 2 minutes. Add potatoes and saute for 2 minutes. Add stock and cream. Bring to a boil while stirring.
Reduce to a simmer. Add tomatoes, corn, cheeses, parsley, chipotles, and turkey. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, so that the potatoes are cooked. Add roux. Stir and cook while it thickens. Add salt and pepper. I have used lobster in this instead of turkey as well.
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That sounds great. Thanks, Renee.
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I put this up on Kitchen Congress!
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I split my broth in two, and made a batch of mulligatawny and a batch of the turkey chipotle chowder. I happened to have everything I needed on hand for both, except for parsley and Colby cheese for the chowder. I substituted cilantro for the parsley, and Fontina for the Colby, and it was fabulous. Thanks so much for introducing me to this fabulous chowder, Renee.
Now I need to make a trip to Penzey’s to replenish my smoked paprika; I’m fresh out.
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I am conflicted about Black Friday – working for a Major Retailer it is a key indicator for our overall holiday sales. I am not a fan in many ways, and I think the people who set up tents outside the store so they can be first in are a special kind of crazy…but those crazy people help fund my paycheck. And the other 364 (363) days of the year it is a humane place to work.
Personally I try to avoid Black Friday shopping on general principle, but Darling Daughter wants to do some clothes shopping and figures deals will be good today. So off I will go this afternoon (NOT 8am…thank heavens) – she gets some cash, I will be on call if she finds something beyond her budget. She needs clothes because she insists on growing…so I have steeled myself as best I can. If you hear tales of a maniacal redhead off the rails in Edina…it’s not me. Probably.
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My main to-do item on today’s list was get the tree. Mission accomplished. However next year when I talk about waiting around for the YA to get up so we can shop together, someone please remind me that we also ended up with a fancy wreath and a big old thing that’s now sitting on the front steps with greenery and red berries poking out of it. I’m a sucker for the combination of holidays and YA!
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I let Husband and Daughter pick out the tree without me last year. They texted me while I was at work and asked if I was okay with a pink tree. I didn’t think they were serious, so I said sure. I came home to a pink tree.
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That’ll teach you.
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Today is really sad for me. The entire week following Trouble’s death has been packed with a gala, two nights dancing to good Motown bands, and our once a year full family gathering yesterday. Oh – and a great Vikings game!! All of these activities helped distract me from having open ended time to grieve. The day of reckoning is here. My the little guy’s really gone.
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It was very likely a good thing I didn’t have any particular plans today. I ended up sitting in on a conference with my 90-year-old aunt, involving whether she will be getting hospice services soon. It is a difficult conversation, and one in which her son is “not eager to participate” (in the words of the hospice worker who called me this morning). I guess I’ve been enlisted, for better or worse.
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Oh, I am sorry to hear that, Linda.
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She needs you.
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I can imagine that your calm and honest demeanor will make the process easier – your cousin is lucky to have you. Sorry you have to go through it.
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You are a good (and good hearted) niece to help your aunt with this transition.
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I’ve known and know so many older people who are left holding the bag. At times, I’m relieved that neither my parents nor anyone else in my life has no one able or willing to take care of them. At a time in life where you deserve to glide through, it’s tough to have to take care of someone else.
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Not sure I understand what you mean, Cb, by this: “At times, I’m relieved that neither my parents nor anyone else in my life has no one able or willing to take care of them.”
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Double negative. I think CB means, “I’m relieved that my parents had and everyone else in my life has someone willing and able to take care of them”.
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Linda, you’d most definitely be a person I’d want if (or when) there’s such a conference about my care. I trust completely that you’d have my best interests at heart.
I’ll have to let Philip know. Will you please email her address?
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I heard someone on All Things Considered that some retailers have figured out the Gray Wednesday and Thursday just take sales away from Black Friday, so are backing away a bit from being open on those days. A small drop of reason in a sea of insanity.
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What a nice weather day it was! I worked on machinery in the shed for a couple hours, then Kelly and I got the snow fence up. We certainly had to work “with” the wind rather than against it, but we managed.
We enjoy looking through the ads, but we don’t go shopping. I think she did a little bit online.
Here in Rochester, the local paper doesn’t publish on major holidays, (so please, no news on those days) and the ads were all in Wednesdays paper then. And seeing the stacks of papers at gas station and knowing it’s all ads for more “stuff!” I got kinda grumpy about the whole broad consumerism of it all. Sigh.
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Seems a little funny to think about a snow fence today. I think it got up to 65 here in the Cities. The guys tying trees onto cars at Bachman’s were all in t-shirts!
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