No room in the gallery

This is a picture of Bastard's Bar and Grill up the street from Stay Gallery, where I really was tonight. Since it was so crowded however, not only could I barely get inside to put my present in the pile of donations before I got pushed back outside, but I couldn't get any pictures of the night's "goings on". So to get warm and out of the rain, I stopped by the bar-b-que and took a few shots of the bar tender and the stranger next to us ordering, get this, a Merlot with ice. To see the actual event of the toy drive and ugly sweater party, see stay-gallery.com.

Apollo 14

My wife and I went for a walk at Downey Landing earlier this week. While walking, my eyes were drawn to the many plaques that are in the flower beds just outside the stores. They honor the Apollo spacecraft designed and built here in Downey. This particular one is for Apollo 14, the third lunar landing vehicle that carried astronauts Alan B. Shepard, Jr., the commander; Stuart A. Roosa, the command module pilot; and Edgar D. Mitchell, the lunar module pilot to the moon in 1971.

Where were you in 1971? Anywhere close to the moon? Me neither.:-(

Wreath-themed Christmas

As Pam mentioned in an earlier post this month, it has been fun to notice the varied range of outdoor Christmas decorations (some with themes, others a mix of themes). On the lookout for something different, I came across this yard, which was decorated almost entirely with wreaths. I especially liked the wreaths hanging from the tree out front.

In the eyes of a child

 

In my neighborhood there is a 40-foot "Christmas" tree. I was so amazed to see they had strung lights all the way to the top where they placed a star. I know you cannot get the "scope," but it really is impressive. 

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.  In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."  ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

The grocer's job

It's not enough, if you're a grocer, to just sell groceries at Christmas time. No, you still have to decorate just like the department stores.

You need special displays for those who are stocking up on the spirits for big parties or special dinners.

And to remind shoppers of their need for last-minute hostess gifts, you need a display of potted poinsettias and gift baskets just inside the main door.

Do you have your tree?

Christmas tree lots are busy places this weekend, but not late on a Sunday evening. Without a customer in sight, the attendants at this lot work at unpacking the trees and adding temporary stands.

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."
~ Larry Wilde

In the red

Christmas is always such a colorful time. It seems like every store has been selling poinsettia plants. Many of us buy poinsettias to place around the house, inside and out, so I thought it might be interesting to share some info about this popular "flower" that is actually a small tropical tree.

Did you know?

* Poinsettias are the best-selling potted plant in the United States and Canada.
* Today the plant is known in Mexico and Guatemala as "La Flor de la Nochebuena" (Flower of the Holy Night, or Christmas Eve).
* The “flowers” are actually large bunches of colored leaves. In order to insure its festive coloring, it is essential that the plant received no light at night between October and Christmas.
* Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central America, where they may reach heights of 16 feet with leaves measuring up to eight inches across!
* The Aztecs used the poinsettia leaves to dye fabric for clothing and the sap for medicinal purposes.
* The poinsettia is NOT toxic to humans or animals.

Unless you're a student

Yesterday I posted a picture of Christmas decorations because they are one representation of the joy of the season. But not everyone is enjoying this part of the year. Many students are sacrificing joyous events to stay up late finishing projects, studying for finals and writing those last minute papers. At least they get two weeks off after the pressure before starting with new classes next January.