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If there are any two things that my nose loves, it’s the smell of coffee and books--which is why Barnes and Noble might be its favorite place on earth. Arguably, I enjoy it as much as my nose does. I mean, when you combine the rustling of pages between your warm fingers (due to clenching your piping hot Breve) with the explosion of flavor that white chocolate, steamed half and half, and espresso brings, my appreciation for life markedly improves.

However, in early November, I learned that it can subsequently be destroyed as well. Now follow me; as I’m enjoying the above, I noticed, to my horror, Christmas music playing over the in-store airwaves. You can understand my confusion when I looked at my watch and it said, November 13.

“Is this real life?” I thought. “Am I in some nightmare where I won’t be able to inhale the savory scents of ground coffee beans and expensive printed paper?” Sniff, sniff... “No, we’re good. Thank, goodness. Now, why is this music playing? Will I be arrested if I punch somebody in the face? Are pastors allowed to hate Christmas music?”

Look, I’m all about celebrating the birth of our Savior, and I imagine if I were sitting in a Barnes and Noble 2,000 years ago and the radio was playing songs about the coming Messiah, I would have been noticeably more enthused. But, I wasn’t in an ancient bookstore, and our Lord has already been born, so how did it get to this point? With this same eager anticipation for patrons to in-debt themselves further; and with this same vigor for cards to be run through our terminals, are we preparing for the Second Coming?

Perhaps, I’m the wrong person to analyze such things. I’m a touch of a scrooge anyways, so early Christmas music makes me want to rage out on people; which inevitably affects my ability to make sound judgement. My wife, though, my wife is all about Christmas. After our July 4th fireworks extravaganza this year, she asked me if I wanted to put the Christmas lights up since it was warm outside. I politely declined. She would know the answer to this dilemma...

And, I’m back. She’s on my side, sort-of...lets call it quasi on board. Thanksmas is where we landed. Here’s all I’m saying, retail world...just give me Thanksgiving...just give me Thanksgiving.