During a trip to Target last week, L. (2) decided to really pay attention to what Target was like. Usually, he just looks at the colored lit-up lines on the wall and announces their colors as we walk around the store. Or he spends his time charming other shoppers by yelling, “HI!” and “BYE!” at the top of his lungs. Or he repeats “Mommy- ABC box! Peeeeeez!” over and over and over and over, as he remembers that one time, he saw a box in the toy section that had the alphabet on it and his mother was very cruel and did not get it for him.

But on this particular trip, he actually looked up and down the aisles, observed the clearance sections on the aisle end-caps, and shared his assessment with me. It went something like this:

In the hardware department
“Mommy, look. Stuff!”

In the seasonal department
“Mommy, look. More stuff!”

In the cat litter department
“Mommy, look. Different stuff!”

In the personal care department
“Mommy, look. Stuff, stuff, stuff!”

And finally, in the home cleaning department
“Mommy, look.” Big sigh. “Stuffffff.”

Yes, L., I’d say that about sums it up. Target is a very convenient and much-loved store, one I visit regularly. But if I had to describe it, I think that I, too, would say: “Stuff.”

I won’t be venturing out to Target, or to any other stores, today. I’ll leave that to hardier souls. Stuff is one thing, but crowds? Not my favorite.

Instead, I’ll curl up with a coffee and a book. Or maybe I’ll play some Wii with C.. And if I feel compelled to shop for some “stuff,” I’ll just boot up the computer.

If you’ll be braving the stores today, though, I wish you well. You are far more courageous than I.