have you finished your christmas shopping yet?

I have. Sorry to ruin the surprise, but you're all getting pickles this year. When you open your package and wonder where the rest of the present is, maybe you'll think back to this cool August day, when we finally got a break from the heat, and I spent the larger part of the day saving some of my summer for later in the year, when the days are shorter and the flavors less juicy. You'd probably rather get an iPod Micro or seasons one and two of Arrested Development on DVD--and I would, too, believe me. But we don't get to choose in my family. So pucker up and enjoy. Merry merry.