Well, here's my own very small economic indicator. I sell flowers on every major holiday. The flower selling biz is a pretty competive one in my town, and there's a big outfit called, surprising enough, THE Flower Company, which stakes out all the good spots. Then there's a few independents like me. I've found a pretty good spot - a major crossroads area south of town where people of every economic stratum find it necessary to pass by if they are trying to get from point a to points, b, c, d, e and beyond. The weather here Christmas weekend was mild and sunny - perfect flower selling weather, yet I'd say my sales were down by a third over previous years. And I had my dog out there with me.
