Main Street U.S.A.

Time was when I bought them for 50 cents or less.

But if you've noticed, groceries are edging up in price. The cheapest I can find a 24 pack of diet Cokes is $6. This summer a pack was going for $5 if you caught them on sale. Otherwise they were $6.98.

It's the same story for many other food items.

Some time ago while shopping, I bought a nine roll package of Charming bathroom paper, i.e. tissue. Then I decided to compare the price to the 12-pack-roll I sometimes buy. It was further down the aisle.

I found it but there was a man standing in front of the display. He was deep in study as he looked at one of the packages. After a minute or two I cleared my throat and said, "I was just wondering which is the better buy--the nine roll or the 12 roll pack?

"Me too," he said as he began using his fingers as a calculator. "I lost my job but I know how to figure."

He muttered something about a 2-ply versus 1-ply, 280 1-ply sheets per roll, versus the 9-roll "Big Squeeze" pack., and about square feet.

He pointed to another brand.

"Have you bought the store brand?" he asked.

"No," I said. "I've never used that brand."

"It's pretty good," he said.

"I think I"ll just buy the nine roll pack," I said.

Nearby there were some $1 rebate coupons. I took a couple and moved on down the aisle.

Much later I thought about the brief encounter. At the time the conversation seemed natural enough.

But, face it, I was talking to a stranger about toilet paper.

But, you know, that's how it is in a small town. Starting up a conversation with a stranger is commonplace.

Friendly people strike up conversations in checkout lines, in hardware stores or grocery stores.

"The lettuce looks good today," doesn't it?" one woman will say to another.

Men strike up conversations at filling stations, in auto parts stores and in barber shops, even when they don't know each other. They talk about the weather, hunting, the economy, crops..

Women talk while waiting in line in department stores, the doctor's office or dressing rooms.

Just last week I was in a department store in Jonesboro. There was an elderly lady in a wheelchair who was trying on a soft shawl collar sweater.

Her daughter was helping her select the right size and color. The woman was shrugging off her daughter's suggestions.

"That looks really nice on you," I said.

She smiled. "Sometimes I get chilly in the retirement home," she said. "This will feel good."

We discussed the sweaters for a brief time, then I selected one for myself. She chose black, I chose a taupe color.

Then we nodded goodbye and went on our way.

I guess that's how it is in a small town.

Could be the spirit of Christmas too.

Just wish I could find a 50 cent box of crackers.