My tree is standing in the living room. It is fresh and a lovely dark green. When I shook it and banged it on the walkway, no needles dropped. The guy at Hart Farm, where I buy many of my flowers, pumpkins, and cider, told me it is one of the freshest of his trees. I believed him. When I ran my hand up the green on the branches, the green bounced back. This evening I’ll start decorating my beautiful tree.

The play, Mame, was wonderful yesterday. It was one of the best plays I’ve seen at the Stoneham Theater. The crowd loved it. There was laughing and lots of applause. The house was filled. Going to that theater always makes me a bit nostalgic. I spend so many Saturdays there watching the matinees when I was a kid. It is configured differently now, but when I look, I can still see the seats the way they were. The back rows were always couples making out. I used to gape at them when I was going to the bathroom. The balcony was usually empty because when it was filled it was like a war zone. Missiles of JuJu candy rained down on us from above. Al, the owner, would stand in the balcony to make sure nobody threw stuff. He wasn’t always successful. The stage is where the screen and a small stage used to be. The small stage was in the front of the screen. My mother said someone would stand on the stage when there were dishes or prizes given away. That was before my time.

Dinner was at Felicia’s, where the fish market used to be. I can’t help but remember the square of my time when I visit it now. As always the meal did not disappoint. We started with mussels in a thick red, hot sauce which was so good we had to get more Scali bread to sop it all. We both had Rustica Chicken which is linguini in an Alfredo type sauce with charred red peppers, and sausage. I topped off the meal with Sambuca coffee.

Yesterday was a wonderful start to the Christmas season. I saw a fantastic play, ate a great dinner and spent the whole day with my sister. When I drove her home, I got to see so many houses filled with lights shining in the night. I figure a ride to see the lights is coming. It is traditional!!