el rinconcito

I usually like to do my annual Christmas shopping in one clean swoop. Unless I know of something special that someone wants or needs, I go to just one store and get every single gift there.

Many friends and family already have all the gizmos and things they need, so to honor the gift-giving tradition while not adding to their collection of possible useless things, my family and I often donate to the public library. For around 25 dollars, the library will buy a book and place a sticker inside the front cover honoring the gift recipient, or a loved one, etc. They will also send a letter on nice library stationery to the recipient mentioning that they have a special book in circulation at the library.

This is a way you can give something nice while not adding to more ships full of stuff crossing the ocean. The books can be used over and over by the library patrons, and of course as we all know, the libraries are hurting for money in a big way right now. I recently got a letter from a library in the state of Georgia saying that their funds for new book acquisitions had been cut to ZERO last year. Can you imagine that? One year this same library asked donors if they could skip buying the books and just use the donations for copy paper and other office supplies. Now, that's desperate. Not all libraries are in such a state, but some certainly are.

A public library isn't always such a glamorous thing, but I like institutions that provide services directly to people, often people in need, so if you're looking for a gift idea, this might just do.

A special once-a-year tummy treat just dropped off by some good amigos. We live for them each year at this time. 100% delicious!

I usually only go out to a mall about twice a year and tonight was the night. It was busy, but seemed way less so than last year. This mall is over 30 years old, and it's said that it may go bankrupt this year.

#1: Three floors of shoppers and actually quite pretty inside.


#2: This is the long line waiting to see Santa.


#3: The "Santa pit." Hopefully he isn't doing too much groping around "down there." I think "Santa sessions" are still free, but you are encouraged to buy portraits to remember the visit.


#4: The Post Office facing a lot of last-minute shipping. Even a short line means a long wait. These people will be here for ages. This one has its own Zip Code, 27427.


#5: These gumball things are in all the shopping malls. It is rumored that they are all Mormon owned, whatever that means to the world. A conspiracy?


#6: Mr. Dunderbak's Old World Market and Cafe. German-like food, snacks, and beer mostly from Europe, but from all around the world really. It always smells good walking by. I went in looking for Duvel beer, but they only had one bottle left.