Lights

Now it begins. The weekend after Thanksgiving most of the lights went up and this week most of the lights went on. Some are tasteful. Some are not. Some look like UFO's. This is from the house down the street which is decorated by "Christmas Decor" the pay for light stringing outfit that must make a mint off the owners of McMansions in the burbs. I remember my dad looking for that one bulb that was making the whole string go dark - so I kind of get it. On the other hand, I thought that putting up your own Christmas decorations, doing your own shopping and wrapping, and cooking was what it was all about. Otherwise it turns into a mere consumer opportunity. And I was Trader Joes with Kate the other day and saw an advent calendar. A countdown to Christmas. With no nativity, no sign of what the holiday was originally all about. Just bells, reindeer and trees. Commerce wins out over myth in the end.