THE SONIC BOOMER
Briiiiiiiing! It starts with the annoying brassy ring of an alarm clock. Unless, of course, you use Alexa. Then it’s music… or the news.
You shuffle into the kitchen to get the coffee going or, if you’ve preprogrammed the maker, a blinking light may tell you it’s ready....
THE SONIC BOOMER
OK, that’s over. Another holiday season come and gone.
It’s my own fault, really, for spending half a year on it. In late August, I start decorating my stores for Halloween. In September, I buy the Halloween candy. In October, I carve the pumpkin, decorate the house and...
THE SONIC BOOMER
I only have one New Year’s resolution — to fix the country. It’s a big one, so that’s why it’s only one, but I can do it.
First, I will fix the school system. Due to the pandemic, a lot of kids are remote learning. A lot of...
THE SONIC BOOMER
’Twas the night before Christmas,In the worst year remembered.The Covid had ruined thingsFrom March through December.
Events had been canceled,And restaurants dozed.The stores were all hurting,The movies were closed.
Families and friends,Had to stay far apart.Or wear masks that made themLook more like Black Bart.
So parents were tryingTo soothe...
THE SONIC BOOMER
It was going strong for more than 35 years, then the Wellington Holiday Parade fell victim to the virus pandemic, just like so many other fun traditions. It’s OK. It saves me a good cry.
I always cry at parades, and I don’t know if I’m alone on...
THE SONIC BOOMER
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! It’s OK to get excited about it now because it’s finally — finally — December.
Usually, I’m somewhat apologetic about my obsession with the season, but not this year. This year, the mittens are off! It has been a horrible, bad, depressing, downright...
THE SONIC BOOMER
One of the happiest days of the year for me — Black Friday — looked pretty different this year, due to COVID-19. Store owners are still expecting to be catapulted from the red into the black, but don’t know quite how to manage it. As early as...
THE SONIC BOOMER
Thanksgiving is next Thursday, and I have three choices:
The Safe Choice — I spend a couple of days baking, cooking and cleaning; set a beautiful table where flickering candles bathe fall’s bounty in a glorious yellow glow; and have a wonderful private feast with my husband.The Next-Safest...
THE SONIC BOOMER
They’d better roll out that virus vaccine in a hurry. People have lost their minds. They’re so happy! They’re spending money like mad. Turkeys are sold out. Christmas shopping has started in earnest. Even poor, beleaguered restaurants are gaining ground.
But wait a minute, people! Be careful! It’s...
THE SONIC BOOMER
Everything I learned about economics and finance, I learned on Halloween night. That was the night that my younger brother Jim and I, exhausted from trick-or-treating at every house to which our little legs could carry us, would hunker down on the living room floor and “set...