HOUSE LIGHTS!

     FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15TH., 2017
                 HOUSE LIGHTS!

    In a theater the term "house lights" refers
to the main lighting system which is turned
on before a show and again as the show has
ended.
     In December it's more likely we think of
all the fantastic Christmas lights strung over
your or your neighbor's house! Decorating
has come a long way over the years!
      A few years back we paid a Christmas
time visit to historic Williamsburg, Virginia.
The homes there were decorated just as they
were in the 1700's. That meant candles in all
the windows and, usually, a wreath on the
front door made of natural items like berries
and flowers.
        I'm partial to wreaths because I once
sold them! A family friend ran a summer
camp and raised money for would-be
campers by selling Christmas wreaths. I
became one of his salesmen. At least for a
couple years. As a kid you were highly
dependent on neighbors for your customer
base. Problem is, once you bought a
Christmas wreath you weren't likely to need
another for the next few years. So my first
career as a salesman pretty much ended
after a year or two.
          These days there's a lot of competition
when it comes to home Christmas decorating.
There's ever a TV program that shells out big
bucks for the best decorated home. That
usually means thousands and thousands of
colorful flashing lights fancy trim.
          An early American effort like that
probably would have burned down
Williamsburg!
           Some folks have given up candles in
the windows and wreaths on their doors and
opted for huge inflatable balloons shaped
like Santa or other Christmas related
characters. And some go way beyond
Frosty the Snowman!
             Whatever your choice I hope you
have some "house lights" for the season
and that all your NEWS is good!