Three eves before Christmas

There's a more relaxed feel in the air now. Most of us have completed our holiday preparations, school is out and activities unrelated to the holidays (i.e. meetings and work) are winding down. The solstice just happened so the days are short and we're gathering inward toward friends and families.

And then there's that touchy issue of the economy leaving many with a reluctance to spend anything more, if indeed, we even have that choice.

So when a local eatery puts up a big banner advertising $5 cheeseburgers and fries for the rest of the month, the locals swarm to catch a good deal. Here in northern California $5 will support your drive through at McDonald's, but not much else. I wasn't surprised when we went to dinner early and soon saw people, lots of them, waiting in a long line to get in. Everyone, it seems, wants to wind down, kick back, and leave the cooking to someone else .... on the cheap.