I stopped by the Dollar General store  a couple of weeks ago to grab a few quick items and avoid the after-work crowd at Kroger. As I headed into the store and began making my way toward the back area, I happened to notice that the holiday section had become the holidays (plural) section.

The bags of ghost-shaped Halloween candy were sitting on the shelf right next to the candy canes. Black and orange boxes and décor was sitting in arm’s reach of green and red. There were some nutcracker statues staring across the aisle at plastic skull masks.

We have now reached the point where we can’t let one holiday and season sneak by without having the next one literally standing on its heels.

I always thought that it was the kids who were supposed to wish away the entire year to get Christmas through the door in a hurry. Sheesh.

For much of my life I would routinely find myself saying things such as “I can’t wait for…,” which I regret today.

I can remember numerous specific instances where I was looking ahead so intently on a future event that I paid minimal attention to the places, things and — unfortunately — people around me in the moments I was living. I can’t say that I am very proud of that.

I have tried to re-wire my brain to stop looking so hard up the road of time — to live for the day, and try to make it the best I can for myself.

And not eat one holiday’s candy until the previous one has completely passed.

Speaking of plastic skull masks, my second-ever Spooky Time on Main was a lot of fun Tuesday evening.

I want to give a big “thank you” to Kathy and Roberta from the city office for helping out with the costume contest this year. Even though the judges all ranked me dead last in all four categories, the picks they made for the winners were right on the money in my opinion.

Halloween will have passed by the time this issue hits the racks, so I can go ahead and let everyone know that the St. Nich Fest section will be published in the Nov. 30 issue.

Once again, it will feature the full schedule of the events taking place throughout the festival on Dec. 9.

Keep an eye out in future issues of The Jessamine Journal for more information on what everyone can expect from the fourth annual community celebration.