Every year, the parade in Greensboro lines up right on my St., right in front of my house. Only slightly annoying. Incredible to see a 350 diesel pickup pulling a a dozen Boy Scouts, who could quite easily hoof the short route. I don’t know when the tradition started, but nothing “trumps” Christmas. It gives us justification for going, doing, driving, consuming, in a manner that ascends all sense of logic and proportion. We are, buying stuff for people we don’t necessarily like, that they don’t want, or need, just for the spirit of giving. It is so powerful, that I would not be surprised to see Tracey herself, sporting a Santa hat, at some time.
There are some traditions that will never be unwound. Better to focus gifting toward donations to needy. or to Environmental efforts, local or International. I contribute monthly to Friends of the Earth, and a little to PETA.
And I will make most of my gifts.
Also, the shopping effect, sadly, drives, and is a measure of economic health of the country. How much made in China stuff we can unload to people on it’s way to landfills.
So, TAO, what do you want for Christsmas?