IFAS Matters - November 2012

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Jack Payne

Even if you don’t celebrate Vinegar Day (November 1), National Men Make Dinner Day (November 7), National Ample Time Day, (November 8), Chicken Soup for the Soul Day (November 12), or Plan Your Epitaph Day (November 20), November is a busy month that’s chockablock with somewhat incongruent goings-on.

Even the big-box stores that sell essential nonessentials seem perplexed by November’s disparate trail mix of events and holidays. Just as the garish black and orange of the Halloween stock gets picked over, clerks are rushing around swapping out jack o’ lanterns and witches with pilgrims and turkeys. The red elephants and blue donkeys give way to red, white and blue bunting and flags, albeit on a much smaller scale.

But November knows no shame when it comes to heaping on the decorations. The red and green of Christmas future, a mere 55 days away, rears its festive head in and amongst the odes to the presidential election, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving to envelope the shopper/beholder with enough celebratory options to rival the best of salad bars.

And let’s not forget the Black Friday promotions, which are sprinkled like croutons throughout this multi-holiday tossed salad, reminding us to rush through Thanksgiving dinner so we can queue up and be there when the doors open at midnight.   
But somehow, despite the callous and confused promotions, we Americans always seem to find a way to honor our veterans, get out and vote, give thanks for our bounty, and shop ‘til we drop.

Happy November!

-Jack

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