This post started out to be a a whiny, “Bah, humbug, Christmas isn't any fun anymore” thing. I was feeling kind of down thinking about how great it was on Christmases past when our whole family got together for dinner on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and how that has changed as the grandkids got older, jobs took kids out of town and my wife and I often end up kicking around by ourselves on holidays.
So I was all grumbly a few days ago when we took a shortcut down an almost two-lane back road and ran across this little cedar tree that someone had taken the time to dress up for Christmas. It isn't in anyone's yard or on someone's rural property. It's just there by the side of the road where it has been struggling to survive the record-breaking drought we've had this year. It happens like this every Christmas in our neck of the woods. The Christmas elves sneak out under the cover of darkness and commit random acts of decoration for no other reason than to cheer up holiday grumps like me.
After we saw the cheery little cedar we started taking note of the Christmas decorations that have been springing up all over our area since Thanksgiving. This old farm truck is sort of an institution on that same back road. Most of the year we hardly notice it sitting there and rusting away but I just couldn't keep my grump on when I saw it all dressed up in its holiday finery.
This water tower where Santa has stopped to let his reindeer have a drink before heading out for the big Christmas Eve trip is in front of a storage facility down the road from our house. Every holiday and change of season brings a new tableau. I have to admit that my favorite was the one this summer that featured a cowboy taking a dip in the water tower, but I like the Christmas scene too.
Of course all the local stores, hotels and other businesses are getting into the holiday spirit this time of year. Our grandson performed with his highschool jazz band at a historic hotel in Austin earlier this month. The main lobby was decorated in Victorian holiday style with a huge Christmas tree and lots of twinkling lights.
Another downtown hotel had a display of gingerbread houses depicting iconic Texas structures. The houses will be sold to the highest bidder to generate some money that will be used to brighten the holidays for folks who are down on their luck. Gingerbread houses are everywhere this season. One of the local libraries had a holiday gingerbread house contest with entries from kids of all ages.
So, even though Central Texas doesn't really have a good environment for growing traditional Christmas trees, we manage to find things to decorate for the holidays. This huge live oak in a small town a couple of miles from here is one of my favorites.
After seeing all the holiday decorations, whether random or formal, there's just no way to avoid the spirit of the season. I know I'm enjoying it. So, no matter what holiday you celebrate this season, I hope you have a happy one; and if you get a chance to engage in a random act of decoration, why, that will just pass the spirit along and put a smile on the face of even a grump like me.
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