In-store customers have $$$ to spend, most know what they’d like, appreciate knowledgeable service. Being trusted- like wife noting my head shake about undershirts and Bugachi stretch long sleeves as gospel- and guys are trying on stuff a lot easier than ever, thankfully.

Thinking I was working well and smart because I *knew* calling it ‘the prettiest jacket’ and her Oh! its your size, put it on! was pre-ice storm meeting of stylish minds as personal affirmation. That beats my online-only lifestyle change pre-2026, from screen and keyboard to frequent positive interaction like retail sales niche I’m now enjoying.

January in retail isn’t usually higher sales volume times, but as closing shift, having zero competition for customers most of last 1.5 hrs., and my willing and able help across a solid spectrum of opinions and facts-stories about product, has been rewarded. Not at level Bryce Young and Panthers will need to come up with beyond 5th year option we’ll see soon, but prom and nuptials (March-Sept.) season is coming soon to Suits.

You could make a case for Hornets run of good-er hoops as similar season of promise. Big fan shout for Sexton’s offense, exactly as hired to do, eye it and fly it guy (5-5 vs. Spurs), haven’t heard that he’s a liability on other end of the floor either. Fingers are always-justifiably crossed about LaMelo, and goodness, that other #1 pick Liam McNeeley seems to be chewing on G-League pretty well https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rookie/2026/01/31/hornets-liam-mcneeley-windy-city-g-league/88445078007/ After Diabate’s 18 pt.-19 rebound outing, is his decision to play in Charlotte- instead of opting to work with French Olympic team- made him as successful addition as Coach Lee could imagine, sooner?

Hornets top last *years* W total, 7 in a row

Grant Williams is back and contributing toughness on front line, McNeeley and the savvy shooter that Kon Kneuppel has quickly become in top-rated (116.4) offensive team is an excellent focus point for current success. Don’t sweat the sniff test, Miller is stroking it and Diabate is still a super-pleasant surprise! 19-63 last year? Doesn’t count for anything now, right?

Several new guys from ‘Core 4’ draft are doing *fine,* including Kalkbrenner as rim protector, time as in-the-hole center on D allows Diabate to chase/become up-pace. I think Sion James still has some torque to showcase on defense as well, and keeping people off Kalkbrenner’s back is 2nd job of strong ‘tweeners like James. The Hornets finishing rate on breakouts is much improved, having to defend Kneuppel on perimeter opens lanes, Melo is extra lethal with routes to the hole, KKs passing/presence is a stat sheet stuffer.

The Hornets finishing rate on breakouts is much improved, having to defend Kneuppel on perimeter opens lanes. Melo is extra lethal with routes to the hole, KKs passing/presence is a stat sheet stuffer. 2/2/26 So its been 25 years since such a streak? The glory years are coming back? I always refer to ’96-’97 team where GM Bob Bass brought in new *everything,* and Dave Cowens went 54-28.

Enjoy the hoops, pay attention to Minnesota

This sports writer is enthused about the progress of other sports team from Charlotte, the Carolina Panthers having lost the odor of seven waaay below average years of football quickly with an 8-9 campaign that made them a #4 seed v. Rams. The 34-31 loss was a fitting, semi-heroic way to end playoffs. Yes it took the other guys maximum best, down to almost the end, and the legend of ‘Big Game Bryce’ now begins.

That left room for the favorite son Hornets to reclaim some regional and NBA props, and I bet 12-yr. old kids on good driveway with glass backboard around the corner start declaring ‘KK, bombs away!’

I haven’t gotten out to shoot (or ride either, damn! its cold), but have plenty of possibilities when it warms up just a little bit. Right now, all props go to people in Minnesota, Inspirational stuff! I’m originally from upstate NY, I know Artic vortex cold. Four days here, I left dribble faucets, but the washing machine…

Today, Wed. is 6.5 hr. shift, I expect to get a couple shots at Valentines Day suits, which is always my goal. I’m bringing a yellow pad with me though, during long nothings possible as closer, I can nail down some thoughts for Intro to ‘DGUYBPDJ: Don’t Give up your Bill-paying Day Job,’ my online publication about decision making.

Closing also means I won’t get to participate in our annual Mens Club (St. Gabriel’s) Pierogi Dinner on this 1st Friday. Its become, along with Christmas trees and Fish Fry’s, a social staple of our overall mission. We regularly feed 6-700 for our events- the usual analogy for pierogis is potato-based ravioli with cheese stuffing, and along with kielbasa, sauerkraut, sour cream, have musical groups as entertainment. My schmoozing with tablefuls history reveals our clients love the community level events. That always includes the admirable quality of our product, its a packed cafeteria waiting in line, everyone sitting down with good food and company, cookie and ice cream for dessert, knowing we (SGMC) helped create an aware and highly social environment.

#1 is that $$$ raised stays in community is our best practices, though we’ve made allowances- for Houston when it flooded, and we donated time and resources appreciably when western NC was devastated two years ago- people who drove there, provided food. This is what we do for each other, our neighbors.

Having participated in two No Kings! marches in Charlotte, that was in prime outdoor attendance time of year. As a Yankee-no-longer, 31 year resident here after those many upstate NY winters, we still kid about Others being sissies below 45. When I hear, ‘There’s nothing worse than being so hot!’ I immediately respond, ‘You’ve never really been REALLLLY cold, have you?’ You can only layer so much, and -22 is my level of outside admiration for showing the way to America writ large.

As 8th grade paper boy, I had 34 customers across 4 blocks, 3-layers on legs, down jacket and minimum of 3 inside, sack on side, -60 wind chill, I swore if I got home with nothing falling off, I’d NEVER say ‘Its too hot.’ Years later, after move to Tampa in mid-June, 95 and humid ,my Aunt Jo empathized, ‘You must be dyin’ darlin,’ and I said, ‘Yep, its pretty warm.’ Man up, Deal’s a deal. I’ve hung on a lift for a way long time in minutes because some idjit lost his skies at bottom or whatever.

That is max cold, lucky not smart to have a bowl to split. Just sayin.’ Heading due west into a REAL steady storm, 16-20mph+ blast, after it turns out class didn’t meet and you gotta get back and fed at off campus apartment cold Reality. Minnesota is having ice parties! Oooo-rah! or that loon noise, eh?