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Now that Thanksgiving is over

Southern Pessimist
@SouthernPessimist
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It is time to talk about Christmas lights. I don't think I have commented much about the unique beauty and competitive spirit that pervades the Christmas lighting industry. It is an industry with influence that almost exceeds the military-industrial complex that Eisenhower presciently warned us about. (yes, I know not to end a sentence with a preposition).

When I was in medical school during the late non-woke stage of medical education in the early 70s, I lived in Memphis, Tennessee. This was the home of racial anxiety and activism which has slowly — very slowly — embraced a largely non-racial hierarchy of political activism. It sometimes works but often doesn't.

Memphis in those days was known for more than barbecue and Elvis. It was also known for sponsoring contests to see which house, which street and which neighborhood could provide the most spectacular light displays. Oh, those were the good times. Jimmy Carter tried to kill that spirit but he ultimately failed.

I have tried to carry that spirit of ostentatious pride into every community that I have lived in. (Yep, did it again.) If my house lights cannot be seen from outer space, I have failed. Mrs. Pessimist and I have recognized the limitations of age and now set aside at least a week to decorate our house with four trees, countless decorations and thousands of dazzling lights. There are decorating services that could do it for us but we are not that old yet.

My mission may be coming to an end, but it has been a great ride.

This post was promoted to the Main Feed at the recommendation of Ricochet's members.

Discussion (28)

  • Full Size Tabby@FullSizeTabby

    Mrs. Tabby and I have never gotten into the outside decorating of our houses for any holiday, including Christmas. But, we appreciate those who do.

    In our area (semi-rural North Central Texas, west of DFW), we don't have many who do spectacles. Inflatables seem to be replacing lots of lights as decor. My across-the-street neighbor was putting up his inflatables (including Santa wearing a Cowboys jersey) this afternoon.

    But a number of the ranches in the area line miles of fencing along the roads with lights. So the local stores that sell outdoor Christmas lights have to be prepared that when a customer comes in to buy "a string of lights," that "string" might be a couple thousand yards' worth! There's one very local store that particularly sells to local ranchers, and the arrival of their stock of Christmas lights is a big deal. The store sells them by the shipping box-full, not the 100 or 250 light sets packaged in a little box typically found at Target or Walmart. :-)

  • Gossamer Cat@GossamerCat

    Over the years, I have become so appreciative of those who go above and beyond to light up Christmas nights. Every year we go on a hunt for the best houses - sometimes there are kids with us, but mostly it's just us adults. Three years ago, I decided "Why shouldn't people drive to see our house?" Our lights have grown every year. They are not professional but they are exuberant! Perhaps we should all share pictures.

  • Gossamer Cat@GossamerCat

    Over the years, I have become so appreciative of those who go above and beyond to light up Christmas nights. Every year we go on a hunt for the best houses - sometimes there are kids with us, but mostly it's just us adults. Three years ago, I decided "Why shouldn't people drive to see our house?" Our lights have grown every year. They are not professional but they are exuberant! Perhaps we should all share pictures.

  • AMD Texas@DarinJohnson
    ReplyingtoFull Size Tabby

    Full Size Tabby (View Comment):

    Mrs. Tabby and I have never gotten into the outside decorating of our houses for any holiday, including Christmas. But, we appreciate those who do.

    In our area (semi-rural North Central Texas, west of DFW), we don’t have many who do spectacles. Inflatables seem to be replacing lots of lights as decor. My across-the-street neighbor was putting up his inflatables (including Santa wearing a Cowboys jersey) this afternoon.

    But a number of the ranches in the area line miles of fencing along the roads with lights. So the local stores that sell outdoor Christmas lights have to be prepared that when a customer comes in to buy “a string of lights,” that “string” might be a couple thousand yards’ worth! There’s one very local store that particularly sells to local ranchers, and the arrival of their stock of Christmas lights is a big deal. The store sells them by the shipping box-full, not the 100 or 250 light sets packaged in a little box typically found at Target or Walmart. :-)

    A lot of folks in Weatherford used to do a pretty good job on lights. There were several country places on 51 north heading towards Springtown that went hard on lights and decorations.

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