It gave me a bit of hope to arrive at Falls Park downtown and find so many people. Everyone binged on food yesterday, and we historically binge on shopping today. I say “we” as a reference to the American public at large, not a reflection of our own personal habits. Shopping for me is a tremendous chore, and the thought of doing it along with great hordes of people, all fighting for “deals,” is about as appealing as the thought of running a cheese grater along my calf idly while listening to rap “music.” Fortunately, K feels pretty much the same way, so we spend Black Friday cleaning the house and cars in the morning and wandering around Greenville’s downtown park in the afternoon.

The Boy took his glider with him, and this always solicits smiles from passers-by. L chose her roller skates, which would have solicited smiles as well if anyone had seen her trying to go off-path with them. She can be stubborn that way: if L is doing it, she must do it as well. Of course, the opposite is true as well, but he seems to take the disappointment of occasionally not being able to imitate his sister with more calm and, frankly, grace than she does in similar situations. Just another example of the incredible differences between their temperaments.