UP ON THE ROOFTOP
When I was growing up, each year my dad would climb on top of the roof to set up the Christmas decorations. Spotlighted was a life-size Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer that my mom designed, and dad cut out and painted on plywood. Accompanying Rudolf was Santa Claus, or at least the bottom half of Santa, falling into the chimney, complete with fur-lined red velvet pants and black boots. Rudolf was positioned with hooves on the chimney and teeth firmly pulling on the seat of Santa’s pants. Santa and Rudolf followed us to four different houses and always delighted neighbors and friends.
Holiday décor has evolved since my parents crafted our cherished homemade decorations. Some changes have been more welcome than others. Several years ago, I recall hearing about a neighborhood scandal when someone chose to put colored lights around a window in the front of their house. Not only were the lights NOT WHITE, they were BLINKING! It still makes me laugh to consider the unwarranted outrage.
Inflatable yard decorations are now full-blown fixtures in some neighborhoods. Recently I drove down a street that looked like the staging ground for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, there were so many inflatables. Certainly, as with the ongoing colored lights versus white lights debate, there is a divide between inflators and non-inflators. I say, live and let live. It is Christmas, after all.
Wishing you and yours a very happy and peaceful holiday season.
