Another tree lost

NO TREE- LIAM DREAMS OF TREATS

This time it is not a storm that causes a tree to be put out on the curb in pieces. This discarded tree is inanimate and only comes to life at Christmas when it is hauled from the basement. We expect it to be dead. After the storms, so many real trees down, broken. The tree branches and trunks are chopped into logs and sticks occupying curb space.  I am not surprised when one section of our artificial tree does not light up. An empathetic "lights out" salute from our inanimate Christmas tree. This means I have to find a new one. I am an "online" shopper, not an "on line" shopper. I rarely go shopping in a real store.  I know though that this time I must venture out.

I RATHER SHOP ONLINE NOT ON LINE

It is Tuesday, December 4, 2012. I want the tree up today. We have a shopping center nearby that has a variety of stores; several sure to have Christmas trees. I select three- Bed Bath and Beyond, jc penney's and Sears.  BBB is my favorite. I love the culture of the big carts (get your own stuff, put it in, no seeking help)) and the coupons which are good until the world ends- or the end of December 2012.  I keep a coupon-filled envelope in the trunk of my car and enjoy giving the coupons out to others on line. Oh what a power thrill!  I am on my way east on Union Turnpike. I always try to do all things in order- not go south, then north, then south. This is why I ended up at Sears first. This store is on the very end of the shopping center.  If I go to Sears I will not be embroiled in the possible grid lock of the Holiday shoppers in the rest of the parking lot. I drive in and park. As I enter I immediately feel that this is a mistake. Very few workers, many customers. Both groups looking unhappy. To the right I notice a sign that says "merchandise pickup." I will not be on my own in this. I will first have to find a salesclerk, who will then get the item number, then I will pay at the checkout, then go to merchandise pick up" tip someone to carry it ( no carts here). I now understand why everyone looks so desolate here. I get the attention of a cashier "Where is the Christmas display?" I ask obsequiously. "Downstairs in the basement, not here" comes the reply in a tone of weary annoyance. I guess her register location requires her to answer many "Where is it?" questions all day long.  The down escalators are as far away as can be from the entrance. Every department I walk through has small frowning women focused on tagging items on racks. No eye contact-they look beaten down. I arrive at the escalator and emerge downstairs. A tableau of vacuum cleaners, snow blowers and an area of fully assembled lit Christmas trees.  Oh no. I want one in a box, one I can carry out. The floor is eerily quiet. No one in sight. Who in the world would ever want to shop in this joyless barren holiday section! I feel a creepiness and keep checking around me. It feels like it is after hours and I am stuck alone in the store. I fear the nutcracker wooden soldiers will start whirring to life.  I walk the length of the basement and find a burly Sears employee- good I think, he probably can lift a box. He tells me he cannot help- and points to where my help is.  I see a group of irate looking customers and a few harried salesclerks.  Really?  That is my help? He thinks one of these clerks is going to leave the register and get me a tree which then I will have to pick up and then pay someone to take to the car???  Did I mention the trees were all over 200 dollars!  I bet not a one has ever been sold. They only put them up to light up the snow blower display!

I am out of there. I do not have a tree. I fight the urge to exit and go to Starbucks for a comfort latte.  I drive to BBB. There are spots. I retrieve my coupon envelope from the trunk.  Ah, I feel like I am coming home. The store has a happy buzz. I enter, get on the escalator, a man starts joking with me. There are shopping carts which equal self service, independence. I see boxes of trees with handles, put one in my cart, get on line. The man in front of me praises my choice. People are friendly, making connections, the staff members have badges, they catch your eye and ask to help.  I can even play Santa and offer coupons to others. I tell the cashier a little bit of my Sears visit.. He smiles wisely not saying anything about a fellow store but sending me out with a "Have a Wonderful Christmas Ms. McNiff. Obviously sizing me up as a needy tree person wanting recognition. Back to the car- I place the tree in the trunk-coupon envelope with it. I am done-12 minutes.

And yes, I did get my latte. Liam watches with his "blue night adjusted eyes" while I decorate.  Sandy lanterns lighting the area.  Next day we continue in the light.Liam knows it is a different tree. He smells it. Liam accepts. After a few latte licks, there is peace on our little piece of earth.

Woof, Woof