too many markets?

Is there a word for when you realize that your mother does grocery shopping at more than half a dozen locations? I didn't think this was possible until I actually compiled this list:

1. Pathmark, Glen Head

2. Stop & Shop, Carl Place

3. North Shore Farms, Sea Cliff

4. C-Town, Westbury

5. Whole Foods, Jericho

6. Costco, Westbury

7. Stop & Shop, Glen Cove

8. Fresh Farms, Mineola

9. King Kullen, Manhasset

Granted, each has a distinct character and plays a specific role in the household shopping... Even so, there are times when nine seems like a high number.

some good short Saint Anthony prayers...

...that I found on luckymojo.com

from Jamaica:

Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony

Please come down

Something is lost

And can't be found

from Chicago:

Dear Saint Anthony, I pray

Bring it back, without delay

from Poland:

Something's lost and can't be found

Please Saint Anthony, look around

the power of restoring lost things

I have never had such a productive relationship with any saint until this year, when Saint Anthony of Padua came to my attention. He is the saint known for helping to find lost things, and I have been blessed to discover that he works with astonishing speed and effectiveness when petitioned. The best description of this phenomenon I have found yet is from a very good Saint Anthony prayer, which begins "Saint Anthony... who received from God the power of restoring lost things..." This same "power of restoring lost things" can be extended beyond material items and include people, as life has shown me.

the emperor Schwarzenegger

Ted and I came up with this idea that when Arnold Schwarzenegger retires as governor of California, his talents may be well served if his new ambition is to "fix" Haiti. Haiti's problems are daunting, and after building up his political muscles trying to fix California for eight years, it just may be an odd fit for a man who flinches at nothing. If nothing else, it is an amusing scenario to ponder. If nothing else, someone might approach him about making a film about him attempting to fix Haiti. It would be a "Being John Malkovich" sort of film and A.S. would star as himself. We can picture him sitting behind a large desk in the presidential palace, smoking cigars, or outdoors, rallying the will to fix the nation's beleaguered agriculture, or promoting health and fitness among the population's sick and undernourished masses. We entertain this idea in the most respectful and admiring way to all involved. Schwarzenegger's sheer will to get things done, even if only to boost his legacy, could be channeled into a very productive and impressive post-governorship.