Patriotic things I did to aid our economy this weekend: Bought several gifts and the makings of several other gifts. Spent Barnes and Noble gift certificate on book about Taliban fighters, "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack. Rented two movies -- two mockumentaries, in fact. Received new winter coat and VCR (one that will tape things! ooh!) as early Chanukah presents. Here's a question: Why, in World War II, were Americans urged to save their money, and in this one we're being encouraged to spend it? Discuss.

On the drive back, I couldn't help but notice how sad most of the Americana is looking. I'm not nearly as aware of its presence as I once was, but all the rain is making the hand-painted "United We Stand" signs on the highway overpasses run into puddles of drooly mud. The flags on people's cars are becoming tattered beyond recognition. And my notice of this was coinciding a little eerily with a passage from Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburned Country" -- which I'm listening to in the car, and is fabulous -- about Australians' excessively negative view of themselves. When driving alone under a thickly cloudy and oppresively warm November sky, through alternating mist and torrential rain and a good deal of post-holiday-weekend traffic, don't listen to books about Australia. It doesn't make you want to embrace your life. :)