Christmas notes from all over town

I guess that I'm more than somewhat weird. On the one hand, I celebrate Christmas, with a capital "C", not some vague "holidays" or "seasons". On the other hand, I'm pretty lazy about all the presumed "duties" that go along with the holiday, for example, all that shopping. In my book, if gifting isn't fun and a pleasure, it isn't worthwhile doing. And it's been years since I indulged in Christmas cookery.

There are many, many aspects of Christmas that I really enjoy. Family time, always. But also catching the artist in the act of decorating a store window. However, I must admit that as a scientific purist, I'm disturbed by all the 4- and 8-sided snowflakes I've seen this year (see below for example.)

And, of course, we have the trends. Biker Santas, for one. I saw the first one over at the True Value store in early November and the second on Ruth Street along with a lot of other blow-up figures...

...including Pooh characters that apparently the Disney folk have declared to be an official part of Christmas. Don't mind Pooh characters at Christmas, tho I really do object to the Disney commercialization!

Now here's the perfect gift package for a certain kind of guy (or woman, for that matter.) The Bro, who had a sports car fling during his younger years, truly admired this MG on display at the new Batterman's showroom on Gurley.

Of course, you would expect me to admire the new trend toward decking out one's ride for the holidays. Just surprised that I haven't seen more Christmas cars this year. Last year, there was a VW bug with strings of lights.

Nice angels next the gas log out at our city's little airport.

A collection of seasonal decorative objects at Samaritan Village ... and a invitation to to a holiday kiss in the lobby at Las Fuentes (below.)

Also at Samaritan Village, where my Mom is now staying, is a very traditional Christmas tree, complete to crocheted snow flake (6-sided, of course.) But then I have one friend who was complaining that there weren't any Western items for his yule tree. He had definitely not been over to Watters' annual Christmas tree display. Below is a perfect set of lights for him!

I kinda like the hat-on-a-hat decoration I spotted somewhere. Sounds somewhat like a Dr. Seuss idea.

And what could be more symbolic of Christmas and the spirit of giving than the traditional Salvation Army bell ringer over in front of Albertson's. I can think of just one thing: a traditional Salvation Army brass duo or trio belting out carols on a cold downtown corner in Chicago.

And Another: Turns out that Ronni, whose blog I introduced yesterday, has a husband who also blogs (as well as doing other techie things and flying airplanes). You can see what he has to say at The Flying Beagle.

If you liked Iron Springs Road...

...you'll just love driving out Copper Basin! Now that they're within striking distance of a finish on Iron Springs, it's time to tear up another road. Reminds me of Chicago, where Ridge Avenue and the Outer Drive were always under construction. Kept the party faithful working, you know...

I got my first look at the mess at the south end of town today when I went with a friend to her home over in Mountain Club. We had to drive a long block up Copper Basin.

However, that was just a rough, recently unpaved section of road. Between Highland and the White Spar, it appeared that the current tool of choice was dynamite. One of these days Real Soon Now I'm sure the city will finish this job. Glad my house isn't on Copper Basin!

Note: I've added yet another local blogger to that lengthening list of AZ bloggers over on the right hand side. This time, it's Ronni Ann Hall, the Designing Fairy; do take a look at some of her interesting drawings.

Trucks areel

It's not often one happens across a mobile spool. Since I've met up with reeling trucks twice now, it's time for a post! Above and below is a vehicle that delivers and probably pays out heavy-duty, overhead electric line. A fine specimen, eh?

Sorry I didn't get the full picture of this truck; however, its reel was up front with plenty of dials and indicators for guys to play with; it appears to handle liquids of some sort. Doesn't look like the local honey wagons, however, which aren't nearly as preposessing.

More New Blogs: New entries on both the Arizona list and the Rest of the World list. Tombo's Blog is another Prescott offering, while World Photos 4 is from an old online friend in Germany, who is currently fascinated with his European red squirrel.

Small music

My dotter credited me with introducing her to what she calls Big Music -- Berlioz ... Mahler ... Beethoven ... Carl Orff. You know the drill: major symphonic and choral works for tens and fifties of professional musicians (maybe hundreds when it comes to Wagner.) When she was in her teens, we periodically enjoyed a mother-daughter dinner downtown followed by a Chicago symphony concert -- and a taxicab ride home along Lakeshore Drive. Elegant, that.

And big music that, except for the evening that Carlo Maria Giulini dismissed over half the orchestra to play an exquisitely delicate Mozart divertimento. All of which brings me to my subject: small music, which abounds here in Prescott. Interesting venues, too.

For example, I had never enjoyed a house concert until recent years in Prescott. Friend Georgene regularly schedules the two Jims (Jones and Wilson) to sing of cowboy life. (Yes, you are right -- that is His Honor, the Mayor, in this year's audience...)

The public library is another location for small music -- performances by talented groups of local musicians (and soloists, too). Every third Friday of the month, what is billed as a chamber music program. I am reminded that chamber music encompasses much more than the string quartets, trios and quintets one hears on NPR. Instead, it includes all manner of small instrumental ensembles, such as the flute trio led by Beverly Chesterby (above).

Or a brass group from Yavapai College. Playing a Gabrielli canzona. Like Wow! Well, they could have been playing in a cathedral, but then one can't have everything!

Time for applause. I'll be looking into more small music events this winter.

In praise of paper

Perhaps you are old enough to remember that famous, fatuous prediction of the paperless office, courtesy the computer age. Hah! At this point, I am much more concerned with how to make use of all the excess paper churned out by my computer's printer. Of course. But then I have a love affair with paper. I like books. I like magazines and newspapers (remember those?). I like note pads and sticky notes to keep my mind functioning. In short, I'm a throw-back to an earlier age -- even though my husband started me on home computers in the 70s and today I love blogging. Nonetheless....

...what could beat the standard coloring set-up offered to young children by any restaurant worth its salt. (I grant that the coloring book above is a cut above average, thank you, Genovese's). I kinda doubt that even the most upscale, priciest bistro would entrust a tablet PC with a display of coloring.com to a greasy fingered kid.

But then my GD finds myriad uses for paper using her basic tool set -- markers, scissors and glue.

For example, she made this house which now sits on my slide scanner. It's a 3-D production. The door and window open, to reveal household equipment inside.

This nearly-6-year-old is also into making books. Real Books. Oh, yes, she's learning phonics. The title of this opus is Pesct Valle; I am presuming that's a genuine valley girl on the cover...

As you can see, this book has several pages (made, after much protestation, from some of the excess from my printer...) She, too, would prefer pristine white paper.

But if you're looking for high class paper pizazz, here it is. A 10-finger set of ferocious paper claws. Admittedly, the dotter found the instructions via The All-Knowing Google. I found something yet more grand: a site with Star Wars origami. A true coming together of the paper culture and the computer culture. I really like that.

Steps and stairs everywhere you look

Why staircases? Better, why not staircases? They are, after all, not only photogenic, but quite necessary landscape items in our world of hilly ups and downs. Besides, many are built of local stone, which can be quite handsome.

This pair of staircases leads down to the trail alongside Granite Creek. Above, the wooden steps from the Dinner Bell; below, stairs from the patio behind Coffee Roasters. Both on Gurley Street.

While rough-hewn stones are, frankly, more attractive, one is less likely to stumble on a smooth cement step. However, the Congress Street staircase (above) is inset in an neat rock wall. Nice curves in the Park Avenue steps (below).

More concrete -- rising up to the tennis courts at ERAU.

Now I'm not really sure whether or not these steps on South McCormick are ever used. However, I like them, as they are each cut from a single stone.

These stairs out at the Thumb Butte picnic area are built from flagstone quarried out near Drake. Dramatically different from what one finds in the Prescott area.

The stone work over at the Smoki Museum and the former armory dates from WPA days and is a splendid example of what can be done.

More flagstone steps beginning where the sidewalk leaves off. On Beach Street.

Here's one of my favorite sets of steps that are probably never used, inasmuch as the house above sits on High Street, not Coronado where the stairs start.

Oh, what grand granite slabs one climbs at the Shrine of St. Joseph down in Yarnell. And almost too many to count!

But nothing in Prescott can match the industrial staircase I saw last summer up in Flagstaff with the dotter's family. Up and around it went. Makes me wish for a wee bit of industrial stuff hereabouts -- makes such great photos!

Another blogger meet-up

It was a chilly, chilly day in Prescott. And a prime day for Christmas shopping. So our turn-out for the monthly Prescott blogger meet-up at The Raven Cafe was smaller, but certainly an interesting bunch of people.

New on-line is Karoliina, who publishes Photos from Prescott, part of the City Daily Photo Blog link-up, which features an absolutely bewildering array of local photos from around the world. If the idea of armchair travel appeals to you, you might also try the Around the World Link at right -- I counted 39 cities beginning with "A". But, back to our gathering. Next to Karoliina is her husband Ray, of Bulleri Networks, Catalyst of Oddball Observations, and Andrew Johnson-Schmit of Coyote Radio and the Prescott Arts Beat podcasts.

While I did a reasonably good job of staying in the conversation, I must admit that my roving eye was caught by the plant watering guy! I mean, there are those happy, green, live plants that obviously receive a regular dose of TLC. At a height that requires all rungs of a longish stepladder.

More plants, in need. Again, I let the pictures digress me! Perhaps with the holidays out of the way and the winter blahs setting in, we can entice more local bloggers out for a monthly meet-up. It's a wonderful way to trade useful tips and just meet wonderful people!

Note: the dotter, who, with the GD, has just returned to Alaska, wrote a heartfelt, loving tribute to my Mom tonight. If you get a chance, read it.