These Gifts Are Meant for Walking

This is a post I should have made in January -- but I never got around to taking the critical pictures. So now I'll brag up my daughter and SIL. To be specific, they are among those people who are blessed in the gift-selecting department.

You may recall that several months ago, I was careless with my prize black walking stick and had to make do with a thrift shop ski pole conversion. But it wasn't black. This past Christmas, the kids presented me with a long tube. Usually, that means an extra big or an old historic topo map that SIL has printed out just for me. Imagine my surprise when out popped a brand new black walking stick. Believe you me, I'm being extra careful not to leave it behind.

Then there is the new approach to socks. Sewn. Cut from Polartec fleece. Comfy. Warm. And wild. Suitable for wearing with one's favorite river sandals.

The stars showed up in a package a year ago.

Here are my new socks for 2007. Don't they look like legs borrowed from a Dr. Seuss character?

Some Assembly Required

What, you ask, did I do up in the high country over Christmas? For one, I ate magnificently, thanks to a SIL who loves to cook. Stuff like roast duck. And, secondly, I was witness to that new American Christmas ritual, the final assembly of the season's toys, once they're opened. I've been fortunate not to suffer this indignity in the past and this year I was a mere observer.

On the other side of the family, my youngest granddaughter has one very indulgent grandmother! Look at that box -- it's bigger than the little girl.

A battery-operated Barbie Jammin' Jeep. In purple and pink. Suitable for ages 3+?? That's what it says.

Whatever. It took a helluva lot of wrapping paper to keep the contents a surprise.

Once the battery was plugged in to charge (at least 16 hours), it was time for the serious instructions.

With two to interpret, the finishing process proceeded apace. Which is to say, slowly.

The new car owner watched carefully as her vehicle was assembled.

And had suggestions, while she was about it.

Not only were there assorted plastic pieces to attach to the body, there were the decals to jazz things up. Even the decals had to be applied in the right order!

Oops! A critical part was missing. Fortunately, it was in that huge box. At the bottom.

Screwing in the pink seat module. Note the seat belts.

So where does this piece go? Perhaps on the steering wheel? Nope, that would set a bad example for the younger generation.

The granddaughter finally has her vehicle, complete to clock and radio. The latter is, amazingly enough, tuned to NPR. I didn't know that Barbie was aware of NPR.

Christmas at the Door: A Card for my Readers

It's all things Christmas over at my mother's building; while some residents with balconies have hung small light displays, most evidence of the season is inside. Almost every door, for example, has some holiday decoration, which makes the hallways quite cheerful.

Mom, always a very crafty lady, made this angel and the Santa at the front of her cart. They must be at least 40 years old!

What more can I say? Stroll the hallways, enjoy the seasonal touches -- and HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'll possibly be Walking Prescott Monday night after the festivities and after I return from the high country. See you then.

It's Like Old Oz, Behind That Curtain

Too bad! The current big emphasis on Christmas lights creates a wonderland at night -- but often results in less than decorative daytime displays. In fact, confusion. A few examples that I noticed the other day...

I think this display says something like maybe "Seasons Greetings." Not sure, though. Wrong time of day for reading.

The reindeer skeletons are great when lit in the dark. But it was nearly high noon when this picture was taken...

A little plain, old fashioned color makes a big difference...

...although the cords and fixtures do detract from the illusion. Ah well, one of these days, a great designer will come along, design decorations that work for day and night (for big bucks) and the next year, copies will be made in China for WalMart and we'll see them everywhere!

I'm Dreaming of a Brass Christmas

I'm not given to tears. Not very often. But boy, they came this evening. There's nothing that says "Merry Christmas!!!" to me more than a Salvation Army brass band. Takes me back to my younger years in Chicago where the Sal played in the snow on street corners and more than one office party giver begged the horns to play for his crowd.

Reminds me, too, of the years I did highbrow-ish movies with different partners. In particular, the classic version of Shaw's Major Barbara, with Wendy Hiller playing the title role. Such enthusiasm and joy! I really hadn't expected a Salvation Army brass band here in Prescott.

This was just a very small portion of the annual Acker Musical Showcase held tonight in Prescott, featuring all manner of performers playing in different downtown business locations. I've got a cameraload of pictures & will do my own showcasing of the amazingly varied performers tomorrow or the day after.

Tonight, I'm just letting the nostalgia wash over me!

Aided by folks walking the streets in costume...

Some streets were closed off for the crowds and for such characters as the well lit gent below...

There was yet one more brass group to finish the night with a flourish -- a quartet playing Christmas carols. Three tubas, yet. Sigh! How time passes.

Nostalgia by Mail

No, I'm not taking money to blog about someone's biz. Fact is, it's very cold up here in the mountains tonight. I want to curl up in a pile of warm fuzzies as fast as possible. Aha! How about a post about what Mom/ Greatgrandma is getting her smallest great granddaughter for Christmas. See, Mom got this catalog -- and there was a Raggedy Ann (and Andy) on the cover and she remembered my own Raggedy Ann from oh so long ago and decided the little one should also have a similar doll.

That's where this started. But if you've never browsed the Vermont Country Store, you've got a treat coming. On the one hand, expensive candies from Europe (including Mozart chocolates like I always found in my room at the Intercont in Vienna); on the other hand, night shirts, yet, and Restless Legs Cream. Snuggies, long johns (in silk, too), chenille bedspreads. Bay rum and badger shaving brushes for the gents. Evening in Paris perfume and imported English tea pots for the ladies.

If these don't push your nostalgia buttons, I've no idea just what will! Try visiting the Vermont Country Store web site for a real G.O.D. (Good Old Days) fix. Me, I'm about to curl up in the middle of a bunch of warm fuzzies!

Joy to the World!

If Xmas at WalMart consists of Stuff in Boxes on Shelves, Christmas at the Watters nursery consists of much more traditional (and not-so-traditional) trees. By Thanksgiving, the interior store is cleared of seeds, bulbs, and assorted gardening accoutrement -- and the trees go up.

The family was in town for Thanksgiving, making this the ideal weekend for a Watters Christmas treat for the young 'un.

Almost all of the trees are themed (all teddy bears, for example) and there is an incredible assortment of ornaments (for sale, of course), but most are traditional...

But some of the themes are bit oddball. F'rinstance, the cowboy tree (above and below)...

...topped, of course, by a Stetson and flanked by America's Cowboy Himself.

This tree is ornamented with sports memorabilia -- plus blown glass hamburgers!

More pop items, including a piece of pizza as well as a Harley.

Grand ornamental poinsettias, natch, at a nursery Christmas display!

In closing, a picture that literally shouts "Joy to the World!"