Black Friday, the busiest shopping day singularly of the year. Big deals, big discounts (apparently), The day that marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season…

And on the one hand, I get it. Who doesn’t like a good deal? Christmas season is a time when gifts are given, so buying the gifts early, and at some special discount, I get it.

On the other hand, it’s American consumerism, on full display; this is what I don’t fully embrace, don’t really want to be a part of, not so much.

I’d rather play puzzles. So while people shop in the pre-dawn, lineup to get into stores when they open elsewhere, I’m staying cozy, trying to solve another Sudoku, or word puzzle.