Last week we were visited by a different kind of Black Friday when we awoke that morning to this scene. My outrage knew no bounds. Twice in November we “suffered” through bouts of sub-zero temperatures; in the first instance breaking known records as the coldest temperature on that day since 1972. The Anna’s Hummingbird overwinters here and we had to bring the feeder in at night to prevent freezing; in the mornings one would arrive just as soon as we put it out and would spend a hungry few minutes hoovering back the syrup (1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water). I loathe snow and take it as a personal affront when our balmy, coastal neighborhood looks like this.

Of course when I uploaded this picture a few days later I had to laugh. How spoiled I am, moaning and whining about a few flakes. Get a grip. Now it is December and 11 degrees (C), green and winter perfect. In another month I get to go borrow someone else’s summer for awhile and when I get back spring will be on its way. Yes indeed, spoiled.

On December 1st I flipped the switch(es) on Christmas. Lights on in the living room, TV room, The Bunkie, The GreenHouse and outside. This year, for the first time, I put up lights outside the house. It started with the Pergola Courtyard, the new space we built, that I adore, which is our entryway and my view from my desk. Of course it needs lights. Then, how about across the front of the house – time to contribute to brightening up our street. The neighbor directly across the street puts up great lights – we get the benefit of that view, so I thought I’d return the favor. Off I went to Canadian Tire to get new lights and one November Sunday when it was a nice day I went out to put them up. It was easy, the roofline is close to the ground, so all I needed was a stepstool.

Sundays are NFL football days in this house. Football from 9:30 in the morning till 8:30 at night. So there I was this day, balancing on the stepstool putting the light hooks up on the roof gutters. While I was up there, outside in front of the picture window of the TV room, the front door opened and Howard appeared looking very serious and concerned.

“Oh Jeannie”, he said. “I just can’t stand to be sitting inside here watching the football game, while watching you outside working your fingers to the bone.”

Pause.

“So I’m afraid I’m just going to have to close the blinds.”

Gotcha!