Checking It Twice

This year, for the first time, my Christmas list is electronic. I'm using the "notes" feature of my smart phone.

It has worked surprisingly well — with one exception. There's no easy way to "check off" the purchased items. I'm making do by typing an asterisk beside each one.

How I wish I could draw a thick black line or make a decisive "X" through the gifts I've bought. I suppose I could just delete them, but that's no fun.

Makes me realize that a list is not just about what I have to do; it's about what I've already done. Checking off the finished tasks makes me feel competent and efficient — which at this time of year I most decidedly am not! All the more reason to crave the illusion.

It's a pathetic little revelation, but a revelation just the same!