Signs of Home

Four signs along Silverado Drive, and then no more. As if you had to know now where to go, or miss it.

So we searched up the street, and down, finally picking the correct turn, into a cul-de-sac.
The signs reminded me of a United cross-country flight I once took to Dulles. My parents and I had agreed -- I'd take the shuttle bus. But they were waiting near baggage claim. I smiled -- home at last. It didn't matter that we still had another 25 minute car ride to go.

Christmas Crafted Cheer

I don't remember it looking so funky.



The twig tree craft was extra holiday insurance the year we traveled, eliminating tree-turned-fire-hazard house sitter risk.

Funky, yes. But politically correct "green" before its time thanks to recycled products. Plus... the big upside:

Stop to craft Christmas cheer and the craziness of holiday preparation slows to the pace of a bending wire, a warming glue gun, a pin attaching a pattern to a bit of felt. Traffic becomes passing fabric pens, scissors and fabric glue.

That, and stove-brewed hot chocolate? Priceless.

3 Nativities and a Camel

Nestled under the decorated corner pine, it's one family's tradition neighbors expect to share. Just try to find someone who remembers when it wasn't there.

Simple -- yet attractive -- molded-plastic design.

"It's surprising no one ever steals it," someone said a few days ago. And yet, I'm not surprised. Are you?


Meanwhile, a few miles away, another faux nativity greeted arrivals to the Methodist church's bi-annual "Bethlehem Market" production.


Groups flowed through the market vendors, winding towards that familiar scene, cast this time with teens.

The camel? Kazzy -- a therapeutic camel, manger moonlighting.

Miracle Humor @ Lafayette Town Hall

Risky, this long term fan of Maureen's O'Hara's 1947 Christmas classic taking in Lafayette Town Hall's Miracle on 34th Street production.



Surprise -- strong community theater cast delivering familiar lines brings back movie scene memories where simplistic props might fail.

Extra credit for ingenuity -- Alfred (Santa wannabe) is M.I.A., replaced by new vision of Doris Walker's office assistant, primed with hilarious one-liners.

So... let's forgive Doris' Christmas morning junior high sewing class disaster, ill-fitted sleeveless black bodice with Christmas plaid sateen Barbie-doll full skirt.

Just know... Hollywood heads would roll.