More Christmas!!
Pastels

The Real Santa

My dad was Santa for me and for my children.  We never saw him, just woke up to the sound of sleigh bells and a loud and deep " Merry Christmas to All and To All a Good Night"
When I was about three after this he ran to the window and said, "Look there he goes, see him?!" ..and pointed to the sky.  I was sure I saw him. My mom had kept me in my room insisting that I put on robe and slippers when the bells had rung and the Merry Christmas had happened in our living room.  It varied slightly for my children.  He would ring the bells outside and say Merry Christmas... And I would go to the window and point to them.  I think they all saw him fly away too. Then several minutes later dad would be at the door with his bag of toys and get to hear how he had just missed Santa.  He did this in slightly varying ways every year.
I did this after he was gone because he was the real Santa in our lives. I never saw the bells till I found them hidden away after he died. I think Richard has them now, he did it for Henry after dad was gone.  I miss him every day.

The Little Match Girl
http://www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen/981/

More California Christmas

Malibu has a creche right on public land.  It is glorious and returns every year to remind us what the meaning of Christmas is.  The figures I believe are German and full size and each year the stable is built and every Sunday everyone is welcome for a little service and Christmas Carols, non denominational

This year in Charles Phoenix's email he announced that he was going to do a wigwam lighting and Christmas party at the Wigwam Motel on the old Route 66. It has just been made a Historical Landmark.  The idea was a donut exchange and carols and a bonfire by the pool with hot chocolate and coffee. The lighting of the wigwam with a short speech by Charles of course the highlight.  Chris and I took our paints and painted for just about an hour till our fingers got too cold and then we just enjoyed the party.

I want to wish everyone a very very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
While driving over Kanan Dume Rd., a very busy road that connects the beach to the valley, for the past 18 years I have noticed a tree by the side of the road, just a tree in the mountains not in anyone's yard.  Every year for at least the last 10 years the day after Thanksgiving someone has put several Christmas ornaments on this tree.  They can only be put on the street side as the tree is growing out of  a very steep slope and only as far up as can be reached.  The tree is a good 20 ft. tall. I have grown used to seeing this bit of cheer as I drive past nearly every day.  This year the day after Thanksgiving there were no ornaments.  I was crushed.  I had become so accustomed to seeing it, not having it there was as though someone stole Christmas.  I waited another day and nothing.  On Sunday, Chris and I got three boxes of Christmas balls and hung them.  It suddenly seemed like all was well and right with the world. Christmas was indeed still here with our few little ornaments on this tree.  Then wonder of all wonders in the days since others have added more and now it is quite glorious. Now there is a Santa, bells, snowflakes and various other ornaments, but still just on the one side and reachable.
So Merry Christmas from a lonely tree by the side of the road that proves there is peace on earth and goodwill to men.

Carolyn Carradine Art ©