Feelings, sha la la la

Dawson's Coffee House is a madhouse this morning. Take the normal freaky-high volume of Saturday caffeine addicts and throw in the new crowd of hot-cocoa-hungry kids downtown to see the holiday parade. There are all kinds of new faces in here: lots of fathers drug in to pacify screaming kids and antsy housewives. I think I've heard the phrase "Ameri-what-oh?, what the hell is that? Don't you have folgers or something?". Good times.

I am feeling quite a few things this morning, all in a positive light. I was scheduled to meet up with a group this morning over at Flying M to discuss the evils of consumerism and corporations... I guess they all had riots or boycotts to attend because no one showed. Water off the proverbial duck, however, and I relocated to my favorite java junction here on 8th street.

Looking out onto the street, seeing the thick-steam exhalations from mouths outdoors, I am reminded of the chilly holiday seasons, and the subconscious association of climate with family memories. We (the family) used to embrace post-Thanksgiving consumerism and venture up to Boise or over to Twin to get Christmas shopping done, and this morning I am recalling hordes of silly details about those trips. I remember the terrible dichotomy my father faced with shopping malls: must go there for selection but hate the crowds and waiting. The definition of immature ADD, my dad could never stand in line for more than ten minutes before throwing merchandise on the floor and spectacularly stomping out the door. Still, I and my sister and mother really looked forward to those trips, and the onset of winter promised at least one chance to get out of Elko and see the bigger waters of Boise, Salt Lake, or Twin Falls.

There is some sadness associated with that, of course, but the feeling is fleeting and soon replaced with anticipation of the future. I leave this Wednesday for Elko, to which I'll travel with my sister and return with my mother. The time at home will be so rejuvenating and I'm hungry for the family time. Strange feelings this morning.