I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

"'Twere a couple days before Christmas and all through the neighborhood
not a snowman was built, 'cause nobody could.
Not a dusting of snow could be seen on the ground,
not even after we sent out the old bassett hound.
The weather was too nice, it was just a bit too warm.
And as I thought about it, one single tear it did form.
A snowless Christmas, it just couldn't be!
"Wait, a snowless Christmas?!" I shouted with glee.
No shoveling, no shivering, no walking through slush.
"This sure will be wonderful," I heard myself gush.
Hooray for Texas and its warm December,
this will be the first snowless Christmas I can remember.
Happy Christmas to all, I sure hope that it's merry.
As for me and my green Christmas I shall be glad... very!"

— by Moi, 12/23/2011

The Holidays, They Are A-Comin'

Today, I helped put up the Christmas lights outside on the bushes. Now, for a midwesterner this usually means going out in the chilly weather and dealing with tangled lights (a.k.a. "those damn lights") being strewn onto big, old bushes.

What do Christmas lights on the bushes look like in Texas? I thought you might ask, so here is a photo I took today:

As you can see, the flowers are mostly still in bloom here. Putting the lights on the rose bushes was an interesting feat, and I now have the scratched up hands and arms to prove it. I really can't complain; putting up the lights in seventy-five degree weather was great, and, a good excuse to get outside for awhile.

It also gets me into the holiday mood. Now with the lights up, it is starting to sink in that Christmas is just a month away. That's okay; it's my favorite time of the year! 

— E

Only in Texas...

Would you be putting up the Christmas lights outside, and hear the ice cream truck coming down the street.

— E