“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
This morning the dogs let me sleep longer than usual. When I got downstairs, I took my time. The coffee was delicious. This month it is from Mexico. I yummed my way through 3 cups, one more than usual. I shared my banana with the dogs. I read the paper slowly so as not to miss any news. Many comic artists celebrated the 100th birthday of Charles Shultz in their strips. Charlie Brown and Snoopy prominently appear. Some comics had veiled references, and they were fun. Today is starting out to be a great day.
The worst time, when I was a kid, was when my bike went into hibernation in the cellar. It was often too cold to go riding. Going down my hill was the worst. The cold wind blew right up the sleeves of my jacket. It was the season of walking.
I remember when the thick Sears catalog arrived. We fought over whose turn it was to look through the book. I remember circling the pictures of toys I wanted for Christmas and putting my name next to the circles. I’d make a list. I’d write down what I wanted in my letter to Santa. I even added the item numbers in case he wanted to look.
I don’t remember exactly when we started decorating for Christmas. My guess is we nagged my mother as soon as the turkey became soup, the last vestige of Thanksgiving. The lights in the windows were first. They were always orange. The candelabra went in the middle, in the picture window. Cardboard decorations like Santa and a Christmas tree were taped to the windows. I remember white stencils on the picture window. I remember Santa. The tree wouldn’t be put up for a couple of weeks. That was what we most anticipated.
My father put up the outside lights after he’d spend a long time untangling them and cursing when he did. The bulbs were huge and got really hot. They were colored lights. Back then, nobody had just white lights. He’d cover the bushes in front of the house. The cord from the lights went through an opened, slightly opened, window and were plugged into a house outlet. It was always cold near that window.
When my father was finished, I’d run outside to see the lights. I was always awed.
Explore posts in the same categories: Musings
November 26, 2022 at 1:51 pm
Hi Kat,
Still cloudy and chilly outside, so we are heading to the movies this afternoon. We’re going to see, “The Fablemans”, along with my daughter. Speilnurg is my all time favorite film maker, followed by Rob Reiner. “When Sally Met Harry”, is one of my all time favorite flicks.
Afterward supper we will drive around Dallas and look at some Christmas lights. It should be a fun afternoon and evening.
When I was a kid we had an electric Chanukah menorah which we placed in the front window of our house in Dallas. We also lit a menorah with candles because, somehow saying a blessing over an electric one seemed sacrilegious. 🙂
Inflation has struck the Christmas light business. Folks on the ‘Nextdoor’ app are complaining how much people are charging this year to put up their lights. Sometimes, I think people just like to complain and the internet gives everyone an equal opportunity to complain loudly. 🙁
November 26, 2022 at 6:22 pm
Hi Bob,
The Fableman’s has gotten rave reviews. I even put it on my list to see, and I haven’t been to the movies in ages. I am also a huge fan of anything Spielberg.
Not enough Christmas lights are up yet for me to go around the area. I did see an amazing display of lights on one of the back roads. The house, yard and the trees up and down the side of the street were lit. I took it slowly so I could see it all. It was almost out of a Hallmark movie.
I haven’t ever seen a window Chanukah menorah, but I have seen a giant one in front of a building. I think real candles are more warming, lovelier.
Right now it is 44° so it is warmish.
I saw where the inflation in England is higher than it has been in decades so I’m not going to complain about prices again.
November 26, 2022 at 10:41 pm
We also didn’t find the major Christmas light displays. We’ll wait until later in December to tour the big light displays. Of course the inflation in the U.K. is terrible because one pound sterling is worth one dollar and twenty one cents. They can say a big thanks to Brexit.
November 27, 2022 at 12:18 am
I saw a program from England. I don’t remember exactly who the speaker was, but she did say many are doubting that Brexit was a good idea. I guess it is still a bit early for city or town displays.
November 26, 2022 at 11:45 pm
Hi Kat,
Glad you’re having a great day. I had my bike from when I bought it ( from babysitting money) cause I wanted a a ten speed bike,made by a famous name I can’t spell. It lasted till it was stolen when I was in my 20’s
I like looking at the lights, but of course, we didn’t put any up.
I’ve been watching re-runs of Law and Order. I should have a law degree by now.
Take Care, Lori and Cooke
November 27, 2022 at 12:24 am
Hi Lori,
I didn’t do much all day, but it was a good day.
When I was a kid, there were no ten speed bikes. Most had one speed, how fast you could pedal. Mine was a Christmas present. I was nine I think when I got it. Later, three speed bikes were introduced.
We went on a light ride every year. I still do.
I am watching reruns of 911. I can put out fires!
Be well,
Kat, Henry, Nala and Jack