I knew it was a bad idea when I realized that not only was the Starsky parking lot full, but all the illegal street parking was filled for a half block. Did I turn around and go to a saner place to buy my groceries? No way. I was after some primo Polish sausage for Christmas and there was no turning back.

Just for the record, shopping at Starsky on the afternoon of the last Saturday before Christmas is a crazy idea.

Let me just say I emerged alive and in one piece. The cash line-ups extended up the shopping rows all the way to the crowd around the sausage counter.  Crazy. The one good thing about the whole business is that everyone seemed to be in a relaxed state of mind, resigned to the wait.