Preparing for Xmas

Dear Bro,

It seems like only a few weeks ago that I was out on the Joyce park bike trail cycling away to my heart's content. Oh wait... we had a warm spell... that was a few weeks ago. Anyway, December has rolled around again and that of course means the Christmas season is upon us. The North American tradition of drinking lots of eggnog, stringing lights all over the outside (and inside) of your house, filling your front yard with plastic replicas of Frosty, Santa, and reindeer, and spending large amounts of money on numerous presents for friend and relatives who will end up returning more than 1/2 of the gifts they received is in full swing here in the States.

This year with the passing of Melody's brother in July, her mom in October, and the tragic death of our neighbor Terry during the summer, we decided to tone down our decorating on the outside of the house. In past years regardless of the weather I would be scaling a ladder and string colored lights all around the outside of the house.

So instead we left Rudolf and the colored lights in the attic and rethought how we would celebrate the holiday season on the outside of the house. Melody made a trip to the local Lowes home improvement store and picked up a couple of reefs to put on the front of the garage. Very subtle... unlike the usual American gaudy display we hardily endorse and participate in on an annual basis. In normal years the two large bushes by the garage door would be blanked with Christmas lights, Oh heck... here... let me show you...



Not the best photo in the world but you can clearly see the lunacy we go to in normal years to use as much electricity as a small third world country to illuminate our small stake holding. So alas, Ruddy will not be shining beside numerous colored lights strung about my house and driveway this year. Instead, we decided on something more simple...






So we add additional reefs on the living room window and front door to add to the effect. Of course it would not be Christmas without at least some lights out front, so in honor of this tradition we placed the three mini-trees you see before you. Gonna win an award for most extravagant decorations? Not a chance... Keeps some poker chips on the table? You betcha....


So that's it for the outside of the house this year for Xmas. Look for a future posting to see the insanity continued on the indoors.

Hoping there is not too much sand in your boots....

Your bro...