Commentary by Carla Howie
When we had our first significant snowfall on Dec. 5, I couldn’t help feeling a little homesick. I had just left a holiday party and found my car covered all the way to the headlights with fallen snow. Of course, I was not prepared. The snowbrush I would normally carry in the back seat of my car was still waiting for me in my garage on the shelf where I laid it at the end of last winter season. Travelling a slower rate of speed, I had the opportunity to witness, not only the beauty of falling snow, but the backdrop it created for the Christmas lights ablaze on neighboring houses. I couldn’t help but wonder what the thought process was for each home owner when deciding how to ready their home for the holiday. I saw homes trimmed with multi-colored lights and their shrubbery in single colored lights. I saw inflatables; some homes with many, some with only one. On one lawn, I caught sight of a herd of lighted reindeer and a sleigh. Some homes had lights that twinkled, some had those that flashed. I saw lighted crosses, stars and lights entwined in garland wrapped around front porch pillars. Each had its own appeal, each lovely in its own right. I couldn’t help but conclude each represented an opinion – to celebrate the season in a big way, small way or not at all. It didn’t matter, because seeing them all together traveling down the road made a delectable feast for my eyes.