Finally, today we’re going to start seeing daily temperatures that have been at 115 or better here in the Valley of the Sun start to drop to something a little more reasonable. The heat wave of the past ten days has been the hottest stretch of weather I can remember since we moved here, I can tell you that.

Cute and cuddly alligator? Not.

Expect to see more of this happening nationwide. The problem with the Komen Foundation is they lost their way, expanding into supporting Planned Parenthood and its bogus claims about providing free mammograms to women. As a result, the Komen Foundation’s reputation has been irreparably damaged. Too bad, but that’s the way it goes.

Unlike some, I don’t long for the good old days, at least when it comes to retailing. Even in the mall heyday I never liked Sears. Retailing of any kind has always – and will always – require creativity when it comes to treating the customer right.

…along those same lines: unlike Amazon, a brick-and-mortar store can’t carry everything, but what you do have to have is a) a reason for folks to come in, and b) a customer experience that leaves them wanting to come back for more.

…it’s like a restaurant: you can have the best food in the world, but if you have crappy service the word will get around, you’ll have lots of empty tables, and no one will want to come in. Likewise, you can have the best and most attentive service in the world, but if the food sucks the word will get around and you’re in the same death spiral.

…Sears never figured either of those things out. Their stores were always unimaginative and cluttered, and the help never seemed to care one way or the other. Now, Kohl’s is typically cluttered and sales help hard to find, but most folks seem to overlook that because of their selection and good deals. When I need, say, socks and underwear, I can go into a Kohl’s, find it in five minutes, and usually end up picking up an item or two I didn’t plan on simply because of the deals. Retailing isn’t easy, but even in these Amazon days it can be done successfully.

…I guess what I’m saying here is that I won’t miss Sears leaving the retailing scene in the least.

No matter where you go – even if you’re in the tropics and on vacation – rule #1 is nothing good happens after 11 PM.