Why do you buy what you buy? It's interesting to stop and think of your reasons sometimes. For instance, I buy Tide laundry soap. My Mother used it and so did her Mother. But, I found out that Tide really does work better than the cheaper brands when I was married and the husband preferred to save a couple of bucks and buy other brands of laundry soap. In the end Grandma was right.

Anyway, I also buy diet Coke over Pepsi. Partly this is the ad campaign, but mostly it's because diet Coke is not as sweet tasting as Pepsi. Or at least it wasn't until recently. Now both are icky sweet and I'm sticking with coffee.

Which brings me to that situation. Do you buy fancy coffee or 'straight' coffee? I really like a latte, a mocha, etc but there are times when I have to decide whether to skip going out for a coffee at all or settling for the regular coffee over the more expensive latte. Sometimes there isn't that big of a difference in taste even. It's the feel of the thing, the atmosphere. You feel special when sipping on a latte but you feel like part of the crowd when you're just drinking a coffee.

On the other hand, I do like going into GoodWill or Zellers department store and finding a really exceptional bargain. Why is that ok when it's not so ok to skimp on the coffee? Attitude! Saving a buck is ok as long as you don't feel you're being a skinflint or doing without.

In conclusion... what, did you really think this was going to come to some grand finale? How long have you been reading these newsletters?

Anyway, I'm thinking about adding a new dimension to the Home and Garden newsletter. Isn't it about time it actually became useful? So, I'm rounding up information and maybe a guest writer to do some how-to type things. Don't expect to find real content every week though. My usual blab about nothing will still go on, and on and on...

I'd write more but I have to stop to turn on the lights. Can't see which keys I'm tapping in the dark. Luckily, I'm an excellent touch typist. Just ask me.