This tower rose in Ireland
as refuge from the Viking;
I ponder it as something
profoundly to my liking.
It’s possible this holds
the peace that calms, revives:
this could be the place
I might escape Burl Ives.
Ah, yes, dear reader, it’s that time again: time for the onslaught of Christmas mall music, aka noise.
Bing Crosby? Check. The Chipmunks? Check. Tylenol? Check, check.
Special thanks to photographer Art Lindeman.
Oddments 
November 29, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Oh my goodness, I thank you for the gigantic laugh I had when I read this and then for the second one when I read it to my husband. 🙂 I swear it is on a loop and even the ones that you liked can drive you insane before you get to leave the store. I suppose the employees have tuned it out, but I can’t imagine how. 🙂 It reminds me of the gardening season when I go a box store and the small birds have invaded. I’m trying to shop, and all I can hear are those birds. I think I’m showing my age. 🙂
November 29, 2018 at 1:19 pm
I’m with you on all counts, and I think the only thing we can do is go to Ireland and hide in one of these towers until January. Yes, insanity is what happens after that “music,” and I too wonder how employees stand it. It just galls me when these places refer to me as “guest” — nobody assaults a real guest with such awful sounds! I can’t help giggling at the image of you and the chirping birds overhead. Perhaps age has something to do with it, but I prefer to think we are just delicate and special.
November 29, 2018 at 6:44 pm
I like that – delicate and special. That will keep me going the rest of the day. 🙂
November 29, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Now it’s my turn to laugh!