I have a bad paper habit - a papyrus monkey on my back.
It started with Big Chief tablets and quickly evolved to all variety (thin/narrow lines, 3- and 5- hole) notebook paper. By the time I was 12, I was quietly hording allowance to buy stationary.
I wrote to hundreds of potential pen pals whose addresses I found in the back of comic books, not to make international friends, but as an excuse to restock my stash.
Over the ensuing decades it came to the place where there is an entire room in my home- my favorite room - devoted strictly to papercrafts. It is the most organized room in the house (if only for the reason it allows me to fit more)and the inventory rivals a good-sized craft store. Let's just say that if we were ever snowed in for four months, I could complete a lifetime of cards for every occassion for everyone in my life without having to leave the room.
You say obsession. I say hobby.
Yet even I was caught off guard by the email from A.C. Moore (the Holy Spirit in my craft store trinity with JoAnn and Michael stores).
They are celebrating Earth Day with a huge sale. The first 100 customers will receive a 12" white scotch pine at every store. The sale items include plastic flowers, Floam (a chemically engineered crafting/ play substance with more toxins than your average Twinkie) and , of course, all kinds of paper products.
This is where the Prius-driving, earth-loving, protect the planet for my unborn grandchildren me should stand up and protest loudly. What an absurd,contradictory, blatant exploitation of an important ideal for commercial gain.
However, I they also included a 55 percent off coupon. I immediately printed several copies.
Sale starts Tuesday.
I haven't decided yet where I'll plant my tree.



Copyright 2008 Judi Griggs