The license plate on my car bears the letters JET which I think is appropriate for a retired airline employee. We refer to the car as such.
With all the snow and whatnot, JET needed a bath, so yesterday we took her for a shampoo.
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It was a glorious day to be out.
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Maybe I’ve sworn off building ice castles, but not taking ice pictures.
Steam issuing from the car wash created some interesting shapes.
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As we waited, I glanced up and noticed the pleasing shape of honey-locust trees above us.
Outlined against a bright blue sky, I thought them artistic.
Mud and rock salt removed from JET’s body, we drove along the road to the river.
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One of the many trees I admire. Taking its photograph is frustrated by the poles and wires, yet I post it to make a point. That sign on the pole seemed like a token acknowledgment of the season which normally advertises itself loudly.
Myself not a fan, Christmas decorations tend to get in my face, so to speak. I have the impression this year that enthusiasm is lacking and I wonder if this is true elsewhere.
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In Greenwich, the only decorations are those put up by individual store owners.
As you can see, it could hardly be less festive.
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We parked and walked through the woods to the Hudson where not much was happening. It wasn’t even as frozen as we’d expected, given recent bitter cold.
So we got back in the car and took a long scenic drive home.
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It’s true that I don’t get out much, but Christmas is usually impossible to ignore. Perhaps I’ve just perfected the skill?
But I can’t not see lights that aren’t there, or not hear music that doesn’t play.
If you see what I mean.
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Personally, I am delighted for Christmas to be toned down, but unfortunately I don’t think it’s because people have developed common sense or restraint, rather that they are subdued.
What do you see or feel where you are?
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Carolyn, you are right, there is not much joy around, what with this warning about the war, the stabbings in 3 places around the world, and apathy. But at least the animals are fed and watered…
Joanna
There is no lack of festive decoration around Beetley. Many of the houses in our road are illuminated with ‘modest’ Christmas lights, and the local town of Dereham has a large decorated tree and hanging decoration between the shops either side of the main road. Not really my thing, but I don’t mind the house lights as long as they don’t keep flashing on and off.
Best wishes, Pete.
Seems about the same although i would not be surprised at some toning down around. (Wish it could start with the “Christmas” musak in the shops. (Cultural waterboarding at its worst.) Again – some lovely pics. And this morning we woke to snow in NYC.
Oh, you have snow! You have so love photos, sun and blue sky. In the Southern part of Finland, where I live, we have had snow twice this year. But the wind from South bring rain and warm weather, so the ground is black. This month we have had only couple of sunny days, otherwise it´s raining. I want to move away from here…
We have developed quite a subdued Christmas over time. Once our daughter left home and having no grandchildren, Christmas was a time for visiting relatives and deciding who was going to cook dinner for everyone. Inevitably, the numbers have declined, and we now find we have little appetite (literally and figuratively) for great celebrations. I love to see decorated shops, houses and streets, but I have a strong dislike for fireworks!
Fireworks at Christmas is just wrong!
Morally reprehensible and just plain wrong.
I blame the Chinese. They started it!
I think I’ve mentioned to you before that here in South Africa, people don’t really go ‘all out’ with Christmas decorations like in other countries. Here and there you’ll find a house (or a street in a neighborhood) decorated with Christmas lights, but it’s the minority. I can’t even remember the last time I heard Christmas music in stores recently … but then again, I don’t do much shopping, and when I go into a store, I’m focused on what I need and I’m out within a few minutes (without really listening to music that might be playing)!
We recently had a Christmas lunch with our friends, and I made an effort to create a bit of a festive atmosphere, but in the end, it’s more about being together and enjoying each other’s company.
As it should be!