Self Service

Leaving Michaels this morning, I wondered if I'd forgotten to take my blood pressure pill!  

I used to love going there, meandering the aisles, human employees ready to help find things, then friendly cashiers adding up your frames or whatnots, then telling you a total.  If you had a paper coupon, you simply handed it to said human and saved 40%.

Now, there are no humans nearby for checkout, I saw maybe three employees in the entire store.  

First you have to tell the machine if you are a rewards member.  Insert phone number.  Scan your items.  Look on the phone to get the coupon of the day, scan it, and insert your card.  I had to press the red HELP button twice--and a grumpy young man ambled over, rolled his eyes, and reluctantly helped.

For generations who have grown up on QR codes and machines, or for older people who have gotten with the program with more grace than I have, it's no big deal. 

But for me, it's infuriating to have to answer all those questions just to buy three little picture frames.  

I miss Jo Ann's--always well-staffed in the aisles and at check out.  

At Whole Foods next door, you can choose between human checkers and machines, and I always go with humans, even if the line is longer.  Same with HEB and Lowe's.  But even these stores, I predict, are heading toward all machines.

Doctors' offices are even worse.  You get two or three reminder texts for each appointment.  (Remember the day when, if you said you'd be there, you put it on your calendar and you were there?). Then a text with a QR code to fill out the questionnaire online and check in.  (Remember when someone actually called to remind you and when someone else handed you a form to fill out when you arrived?) 

Five minutes into my last appointment, before even getting weighed, I got a text asking me to review this appointment that hadn't even started.

I am literally feeling homesick for former days of friendly human interaction and filling out forms with a pen on paper! 

Highlights of Christmas

Today we're expected to tie the all-time high for San Antonio, 83 degrees--back in the fifties.  In spite of that, we've had a low-key and happy Christmas.

It started with a festive neighborhood party at Jan's house with tamales and all the foods and spirits of good cheer.

Jan got a bowl she wanted in the pass-around game of presents,
and she was daring anyone to steal it! 

Christmas started a week early for Elena--when her parents surprised her with the horse she's had her eye on for a while, a young sorrel a friend in 4H was selling. 

She's grown up on Yancy, and riding on him (after wilder Clown) still "feels like a Cadillac" in comparison.  Yancy's well-trained and has taken her through many rodeos, but Clown is hers to train.  She's smitten.  

So on Christmas morning Luci and I  set out to pick up Pam to go see a horse.  And have breakfast.  And see Nathan before he left for his other family's.  

Luci looked out the window while we waited for Pam, then perked up when she saw her coming.   And off we rolled!

First Christmas in the Pritchett's new house (out near China Grove) 

Meanwhile in Virginia, half a year after getting his Masters, Jackson landed a job he's excited about in Richmond!  And one of Marcus' recent sports interviewees, turns out, to be more than the subject of a sports profile--on which I may say more when and if I'm given more to say.   All I know now is that her name is Lucia, an athlete from Spain. 

Sending all my best wishes to all of you for the happiest of holidays!

It's almost 80 degrees, so Texas looks nothing like the pictures you see on Christmas cards--but here we go, doing San Antonio and Santa Claus in shorts. 

Luci got a leash-less walk from Ms. Santa--which she quite appreciated, and will accompany me to Jan's party next door in an hour, then to the Pritchetts tomorrow to romp with her cousins (or maybe nephews?) Charlie and Marlow and Conway, the latter of whom, against all odds a month or so ago, is getting another Christmas on this side of the Rainbow Bridge. 

Christmas decorations look a little ridiculous, I thought--musing as we walked.  Inflatable snowmen, inflatable nutcrackers, and inflatable Santas in snow.  But oh well, it's South Texas and you never know what you're gonna get.

Not a creature was stirring as we walked, as far as we could see.  I did manage to make 100 cookies and a paper kimono this afternoon.  But I very much like the "no presents, experiences instead" that our family has adopted this year.  Will's family took me out to Ladana at the Pearl this week and we had a wonderful time!

Day's family went to a Spurs game in D.C.