The financial shit-hole we're in is so not over yet --

[Hell Hath No Fury]

As some of you know, one of the many things I do is holiday decorating work for downtown SF businesses. Lots of building lobbies, banks, financial businesses. etc. Holiday orders tend to be a very good indicator of where things are finanically in the business world and, I am sad to say, orders so far are as pathetic as last year. :(

As of today I have 11 orders for Xmas wreaths, with a few more to trickle in the next week or so. In years past, that order would be well over one hundred.

The building managers are still ordering -- they have no choice, they need to keep up appearances for their tenants. Orders are still w-a-y down for individual businesses. Back in the heyday I had a crew of 5 working with me for at least a month in advance of Thanksgiving -- once again, this year it is just me. Orders for poinsettias and trees are also in the basement.

I would add that this is taking place in San Francisco -- a locale that has remained fairly unscathed in the overall downturn.

The year I get 40 wreath orders is the year I will know we are truly getting to be back on track.