Bring on the Christmas Cheer

It's Black Friday, the official opening day of the Christmas season.  The weather is nippy and bright.  The shops have been in full-on sales mode for weeks now...the shoppers, not so much.  My list has been getting shorter and more realistic, which is a good thing.  Bring on the essence of the season.  Christmas music, spice scented candles, winter decorations that likely won't come down until Easter, keeping the holiday festivals and stores stocked with cards and calendars...there's plenty to do.

Never Leave Home Without It

How many times have I said that.... "Never leave home without my camera."  It's a little argument I have with myself on the way out the door.  Why do I want to bring the extra weight of my camera (I don't have a smart phone)?  This day, a wintery December day last year, I happened upon a car rally of sorts.  Dozens of beautiful vintage cars and not a driver in sight.  They must have been in a nearby coffee shop celebrating the season.  Meanwhile, I was seizing the moment, crawling all over their cars (not literally) with my camera finding next year's Christmas card. (cards available on my Etsy "whimrab" site.)  Now, if I'd just brought my camera this year, I could have gotten some closeups of those reindeer.