The new leaf season?

Remember that old saying, "It's time to turn over a new leaf?" Do you ever think about changing gears, or modifying some of those old habits?

Are you one of those who, pardon the admission, has been in the long-time rut of waiting until the last week -- make that the last day or two -- before Christmas to start that annual trek to the stores to find those perfect presents? I'm one of that crowd who finally, this year, has decided to turn over a new leaf.

Honestly, it used to be fun to wait until the last few days, then wander into the local stores where those perfect gifts could be found. Again, honestly, you'll still find lots of goodies just waiting to be snatched up from local merchants. The choice isn't monstrous but, honestly again, you could be surprised what you can find in that local store which is a first-line supporter of our community.

But ... I felt the big-time urge to head for the malls where dodging elbows, waiting in lines, fumbling through gobs of "stuff" while listening to happy holiday jingles on the PA systems were beckoning. Does this happen to you? Don't forget the really good part -- bumper to bumper traffic in areas where highway construction seems always underway; then there's the parking lots, those massive concrete meadows that offer a round-and-round race to get close to the front doors; then eventually parking a quarter mile away only to find yourself passing lots of open spaces just a few feet from those beckoning entrances. That gets you in the true shopping mood as you mumble to yourself, "Why weren't those parking spots here the seven times I drove by?"

Be that what may, let me proceed with my turning over a new leaf. The first requisite was shuffling through those hundreds of circulars and fliers that appear this time of year. It used to be so easy when you could flip through the paper, read the ads, check on the political scene and scan the obits and comics. Now you are faced with all of those extra lures on glossy tree-killers (think about that, environmentalists). For instance, you are hit with information on the importance of earning "extra points" if you buy certain things on certain days; there are "deals -- the best of the season," coupons of every size and amount where you can save up to 70 percent. Be sure and scan the fine print that is referred to on the coupon. There are so many limitations and restrictions it takes a Philly lawyer to discern just which things are eligible for those discounts.

And then there are the rebates. Some are good to use in the stores during the next three or four days, occasionally a week or two. Insurance type lists all kinds of restrictions.

Which brings a change of direction in this 'cuff. What do we mean by the words "insurance type"? I can still hear John Will McAllister, one of the operators of McAllister's, a store that served Gravette for a century, joke about insurance type, those bits of information in fine print on loan forms and other legal documents, as well as insurance policies. He would laugh and say you need to be an attorney to know what is in those tiny words that require a magnifying glass to read. That's what I found on so many of those special offers on earning points, rebates, merchandise that was excluded and so on. Doesn't that sound familiar?

Well, to make this long story short, let's just admit I went shopping, dodged traffic, burned gas, bumped elbows with what seemed to be hundreds of people, walked what seemed a mile in the parking lot, stood in line to make a purchase and so on and on. And now a confession: the standing in line was to pay for my only purchase during the big outing, a bag of popcorn. What can be more enjoyable than warm popcorn with just the right amount of butter flavorings and salt?

Enough of this venting. Let's get down to business. I've mentioned in an earlier 'cuff that I have something to brag about, so here goes: Back in May, or sometime, I predicted the name of our next president would start with one of the first five letters of the alphabet. I was on solid ground. After all, there was Clinton, and Cruz, and Carson, and Bush and Christie, and even Bernie. I even thought Biden would be considered if Clinton faltered somewhere down the stretch. And then Trump came along and muddied the water!

Fast forward, Trump seemed a shoo-in as the final votes were announced. But then a recount process was sought by a wanna-be who never was. Who had any idea of how a recount, or a court challenge, could come out? Things were not certain enough to really brag about my prediction. Since this is being written last week, it's probably safe to brag a bit. But, you say, Trump's name doesn't begin with one of the first five letters of the alphabet.

Gotcha there. I had my fingers crossed behind my back when the prediction was made which allows his first name, Donald, to fill the bill for bragging rights. Please don't call. The next 'cuff will return to sanity. I guarantee it.

In the meantime, prepare for a "droning" Christmas which will see scores, hundreds, thousands of those mechanical critters flying in the skies on Christmas morning. Drones will be one of the most popular presents available this year. Any bets on how many will be up in the air in Eagle Observer country? At least until they crash or their batteries expire?

Happy shopping to you! More happiness to each as we thankfully celebrate the real meaning of this Holy Christmas season. That is a leaf to which we need to turn.

Dodie Evans is the former owner and long-time editor of the Gravette News Herald. Opinions expressed are those of the author.