I love holiday lights from the simple to the extravagant. So yesterday’s trip to the Festival of Trees at the Maryland State Fairgrounds was a nice treat. The wonder in children’s eyes, the smiles on the adults. The memories triggered, or the thoughts of how to improve one’s own home with new themes or colors.

Samples from Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees. Photos by Mike Hartley

It got me in the season spirit already. Watching my grandson look at the displays, his mother and father smile with love. Thinking of their excitement when the trees go up and are decorated in their own homes. The smell of holiday meals and the laughter of family. I can’t wait myself.

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New Lights

I haven’t purchased new holiday lights in years. I usually keep it pretty simple with white lights on the front porch area. But I got 4 boxes of new red and white mixed and a long white string for the deck. This is the year to sort the ornaments and donate what we no longer use.

My better half has been talking up an artificial tree. We have one that we use for the basement and we usually get a real tree for the family room. I’m the one partial to real trees. I won’t argue all the advantages of an artificial tree. I will probably give in someday but not this year.

I’ll have to see if I have a few minutes to run the extension cords and get the lights started later today. Whoops, just looked outside and I saw rain. Light work postponed.

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Random Thoughts of the Day

• The service at Clarks Hardware. Knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly.
• I have slept only 4-5 hours a day for so long that I automatically wake after that timeframe now. I hope to change that in retirement.
• I feel lazy today but I can’t afford to be lazy today.
• Tomorrow I’ll sign my name. It will signify the end of a long partnership.