When I did find something to buy and approached a checkout desk, the person behind the desk was frazzled and overwhelmed even though there was only one other shopper in sight. I’ve noticed this before. The stores are cutting back, so the person who takes your money is also the person who shows you to a fitting room, is also the person who finds a different size if you need it, is also the person who restocks the racks. Overworked and understaffed; business as usual, eh?

Anyway, my mother will be relieved to know that I’m not a complete fashion washout. I bought a big-top T-shirt with black sequins to wear over my classic, boot-cut, Lycra-infused blue jeans. Which, of course, are black.

Copyright © 2012 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.