Paper Trail

There's something compelling about offices. Although I have a cupboard full of pens, paper, scissors, and paper clips, I still linger around the store displays like maybe I might just need to stock up on something. Index cards, or maybe file folders.
This time of year is especially tough because of the back to school aisles. I haven't used the erasers that I bought last year, so maybe they've got hard and won't work if I need to erase something. Index cards? Maybe this year I will organize my recipe book, so I might need index cards. Not that I use my recipes anymore, but I could not use them in a more orderly fashion.
Office supplies make me feel industrious, even if I don't use them. I know that I'm not alone in this because at least half a dozen chain stores open their doors every day to people just like me. People who write e-mails instead of letters, and write grocery lists on the back of junk mail envelopes.
The glut of office supplies is probably the reason why so many people have home offices even though they don't have office work to do. But once you've bought the stuff, it seems reasonable to designate a place to use it.
It is also interesting that since personal computers were supposed to usher in a paperless society, office supply industry has blossomed. I have more paper supplies in my house right now than I used throughout my school career. Everyday my mail box gets filled with advertising flyers that go straight to recycle, which is another booming modern business.
Today is my usual grocery shopping day, and because school starts soon, I will face a maze of shelves filled with notebooks, pens, scissors- oh you know what's there because you do it too. I will do my best to find something I need, and with any luck will talk myself out of most of it. I could save a lot of money if I never needed paper again.
Maybe I should buy a white board.
Nancy Sherer