MEME: Sunday Seven -- Episode 13

Sunday Seven - Episode 13

By Patrick

"Black Friday" is the day after Thanksgiving that indicates to many retailers whether they'll be in the black or in the red after the end of the holiday shopping season. My days of getting up in time for a 5:00am sale are long behind me: I tried that once...and only once. Never again. But from this introduction, you should have at least been able to surmise that this week's question has something to do with holiday shopping. Before the official question, it's time to recognize Donna of " My Country Life ," as the first person to answer last week's question about where you'd be doing most of your shopping this year! Congratulations to Donna! On to the next challenge! THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Here's your chance to suggest great gift ideas. Take a quick inventory around your home and select up to seven things that you'd hate to be without or that have made your life easier. They can be technological gadgets or unique spins on old mainstays, but they should be things that might just make good gift suggestions for people trying to come up with just the right idea. (You'd probably want to avoid ultra-common things like "computers" and "televisions," which most people would already have, although if there is a specific kind or something unique about the version you have, then it might make a good response.) Either answer the question in a comment (at Patricks Weekender) or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered "first to play," a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

1. My automatic.

2. The computers – although they are also horrendous time sucks, too.

3. Shortwave radio – although this is going the way of the dodo bird, the s.w. Can keep me connected to the world when all else is failing – a lesson learned during the two weeks of being iced in.

4. The Coleman stove – beats eating cold canned food when you lose power.

5. The Alladin Lamp – pricey but gives off great light to read and work by, unlike the inexpensive “storm lamps” with only a wick.

6. The car – I'd really hate to walk or ride horses all winter long in Maine

7. The freezer – because frozen food tastes better than canned, all things being equal. And it's a lot less work intensive than canning, too.

There you have it for another week. Be good to yourselves.