HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND EXTENDED FAMILY.
Tomorrow marks the solstice and the beginning of longer days. For those of you in the north, the greater sunlight is a boon. I will admit, from my sunny location in the Sonoran Desert, the impact is minimal.
Then again, if the sun comes up earlier, so might I. Who knows what items on the long list of chores might get accomplished.
As usual for this time of year, I'm involved in the community "Little Angels" program, wrapping and delivering gifts to kids in low income families. Some of my friends and I have played elves for 7-8 years now.
I will attend the annual Christmas Eve tradition. Unlike most the the country where Christmas decorations go up as Halloween comes down, and Christmas music begins by Thanksgiving, the lights in Ajo's plaza are not lit until
Christmas Eve. Carols are played and the community watches the firework (note: that is singular) and arrival of Santa in the bell tower of the old high school which is now an art center. He waves and then descends to ride the float (again singular) a couple times around the plaza before oranges and candy canes are handed out to the younger set.
It is an event I hate to miss and seldom do. Christmas Day is a quiet event out in the desert with a few friends. There are no gift exchanges, no frantic kitchen work, no family squabbles. We do have a wonderful potluck dinner, outside if at all possible, with "trash can turkey" at the center.
My spot in the desert is ideal. My friends and I are within walking distance of each other, but each of us has a private spot where we cannot see each other and our closest neighbors are the coyotes and birds. I sleep with window shades up so I can see the stars at night (no light pollution and usually crisp clear skies) and fantastic sunrises.
Hope you all have a joyous and peaceful holiday season.
Tomorrow marks the solstice and the beginning of longer days. For those of you in the north, the greater sunlight is a boon. I will admit, from my sunny location in the Sonoran Desert, the impact is minimal.
Then again, if the sun comes up earlier, so might I. Who knows what items on the long list of chores might get accomplished.
As usual for this time of year, I'm involved in the community "Little Angels" program, wrapping and delivering gifts to kids in low income families. Some of my friends and I have played elves for 7-8 years now.
I will attend the annual Christmas Eve tradition. Unlike most the the country where Christmas decorations go up as Halloween comes down, and Christmas music begins by Thanksgiving, the lights in Ajo's plaza are not lit until
Christmas Eve. Carols are played and the community watches the firework (note: that is singular) and arrival of Santa in the bell tower of the old high school which is now an art center. He waves and then descends to ride the float (again singular) a couple times around the plaza before oranges and candy canes are handed out to the younger set.It is an event I hate to miss and seldom do. Christmas Day is a quiet event out in the desert with a few friends. There are no gift exchanges, no frantic kitchen work, no family squabbles. We do have a wonderful potluck dinner, outside if at all possible, with "trash can turkey" at the center.
My spot in the desert is ideal. My friends and I are within walking distance of each other, but each of us has a private spot where we cannot see each other and our closest neighbors are the coyotes and birds. I sleep with window shades up so I can see the stars at night (no light pollution and usually crisp clear skies) and fantastic sunrises.
Hope you all have a joyous and peaceful holiday season.
