~!@#$%^&* Global Warming

[wintergreen48]

Every year about this time my neighborhood does the Christmas luminaries thing (putting out candles in bags on the curbs along all of the streets); it's usually done on the Sunday night that comes more than a week before Christmas. We get a high level of participation in the 325 member community-- the Jewish folks say they make nice Hannukah lights-- with virtually the only non-participants being the aliens who seized control of the house next door to me, and their clones across the street.

This year Luminary Night was supposed to be last Sunday, but we had a lot of wind which made it impractical, so it was weather-delayed to last night. Yesterday we had rain all day, with temperatures in the 60's, making for a nasty situation: if it had been what it should have been-- temperatures in the 20's-- we would have had snow, instead, we had rain. So no one (well, almost no one-- about five of us did it) put up luminaries. Ticks me off. I really like that stuff.

I like ALL this Christmas stuff. My mother thinks I overdo it a bit (I think it was the third Christmas tree that sent her over the edge-- I have a live 8' tree in the family room, a fake 7 footer in the living room, and a fake 6 footer in my library, each with its own theme), but you can't overdo it. And it ticks me off when the weather does not cooperate.

On the other hand (besides five fingers), today is a gorgeously beautiful day, cool and crisp with very clear skies, which will make for a glorious Christmas Eve. Those of you who are astronomically inclined (or planetarily inclined, since it does not involve stars) will know that Mars is currently about as close to the Earth as it gets, but more importantly, it is in opposition to the sun, plus, the Moon is almost full (last night was the full moon), so that Mars will be extremely bright in the sky tonight (meaning that Rudolph can probably take the night off). Mars will actually be the brightest object in the sky (other than the almost full Moon), so look up and enjoy it.

I still wish it would snow.

[earendel]

Every year about this time my neighborhood does the Christmas luminaries thing (putting out candles in bags on the curbs along all of the streets); it's usually done on the Sunday night that comes more than a week before Christmas. We get a high level of participation in the 325 member community-- the Jewish folks say they make nice Hannukah lights-- with virtually the only non-participants being the aliens who seized control of the house next door to me, and their clones across the street.

When I was growing up this was a "featured decoration" in several neighborhoods. I thought they were very attractive; unfortunately there were some kids who thought it was fun to stomp on them.

[Al Gore]

Did you ever think that all of the energy being wasted on past Luminary Nights created the overly warm situation you're experiencing now? You will not find any Christmas lights at the Gore mansion, expect for the green Christmas lights I found at Wal~Mart last month. At least, they came in a green box, so I can only assume they're very eco-friendly. Bought about 200 strands of 'em, and charge $15 a car for the peasants to drive through and see them. Don't worry, all the money's going towards my next Oscar winning documentary....

[fantine33]

On the other hand (besides five fingers), today is a gorgeously beautiful day, cool and crisp with very clear skies, which will make for a glorious Christmas Eve. Those of you who are astronomically inclined (or planetarily inclined, since it does not involve stars) will know that Mars is currently about as close to the Earth as it gets, but more importantly, it is in opposition to the sun, plus, the Moon is almost full (last night was the full moon), so that Mars will be extremely bright in the sky tonight (meaning that Rudolph can probably take the night off). Mars will actually be the brightest object in the sky (other than the almost full Moon), so look up and enjoy it.

I still wish it would snow.

Hi, I'm an alien!

Dude, we are on such the opposite ends of the Christmas spectrum. And I live across the street from the Griswalds. Ha! But, if it's snow you want, come on-a my house. It snows every night, but is sunny and blue skies the next day so the snow is melted before noon (on the important parts, sidewalk and streets, the houses in the shade and yards are still covered).

I will agree with you on one thing, though. I have a huge window high up above the front door (cathedral ceilings) that faces the staircase. When I got up this morning I was going down the stairs and the full moon was framed right in the window, it looked like headlights on the wall. And I actually thought, what a beautiful full moon for Christmas. I'm such a softy (ha!).

[Chicken Little]

Ha! I told ya is was coming to this. Oh and that Mars thing scared the crap outta me last night.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Our lights did strange things when I plugged them in this year, so I went to Target and bought new ones.

I ended up getting the Phillips energy savings lights that remain cool to the touch to put on our tree.

The red looks a bit too orange and the white is almost too blue.

[littlebeast13]

Our lights did strange things when I plugged them in this year, so I went to Target and bought new ones.

I ended up getting the Phillips energy savings lights that remain cool to the touch to put on our tree.

The red looks a bit too orange and the white is almost too blue.

The LED lights don't look right at all. Given your description of the reds and whites, I'm assuming we're talking about the same kind of lights.....

lb13

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Our lights did strange things when I plugged them in this year, so I went to Target and bought new ones.

I ended up getting the Phillips energy savings lights that remain cool to the touch to put on our tree.

The red looks a bit too orange and the white is almost too blue.

The LED lights don't look right at all. Given your description of the reds and whites, I'm assuming we're talking about the same kind of lights.....

lb13

Yes, they are LED lights. They looked nice in the display at Target, but they just don't look right on the tree.

[cindy.wellman]

Every year about this time my neighborhood does the Christmas luminaries thing (putting out candles in bags on the curbs along all of the streets); it's usually done on the Sunday night that comes more than a week before Christmas. We get a high level of participation in the 325 member community-- the Jewish folks say they make nice Hannukah lights-- with virtually the only non-participants being the aliens who seized control of the house next door to me, and their clones across the street.

This year Luminary Night was supposed to be last Sunday, but we had a lot of wind which made it impractical, so it was weather-delayed to last night. Yesterday we had rain all day, with temperatures in the 60's, making for a nasty situation: if it had been what it should have been-- temperatures in the 20's-- we would have had snow, instead, we had rain. So no one (well, almost no one-- about five of us did it) put up luminaries. Ticks me off. I really like that stuff.

I like ALL this Christmas stuff. My mother thinks I overdo it a bit (I think it was the third Christmas tree that sent her over the edge-- I have a live 8' tree in the family room, a fake 7 footer in the living room, and a fake 6 footer in my library, each with its own theme), but you can't overdo it. And it ticks me off when the weather does not cooperate.

On the other hand (besides five fingers), today is a gorgeously beautiful day, cool and crisp with very clear skies, which will make for a glorious Christmas Eve. Those of you who are astronomically inclined (or planetarily inclined, since it does not involve stars) will know that Mars is currently about as close to the Earth as it gets, but more importantly, it is in opposition to the sun, plus, the Moon is almost full (last night was the full moon), so that Mars will be extremely bright in the sky tonight (meaning that Rudolph can probably take the night off). Mars will actually be the brightest object in the sky (other than the almost full Moon), so look up and enjoy it.

I still wish it would snow.

I grew up in Albuquerque, and they were (are) very attached to this tradition. I guess the only difference would be that they called them "luminarias" The folks in the northern part of NM insist that they are called "farolitos" Tomato/Tomato, in my opinion.

My dad is still a huge participant in this, mainly because he's like you and lives in a neighborhood where the majority of the residents participate. They even have tour buses that go through the area! I remember years and years of selling the bags through our church youth group. Let me tell you, I can fold a mean luminaria bag!

Somehow the tradition has passed on to me. We've set them out at each base where we've been stationed. Alaska was funny because the snow was very deep. Italy was a challenge because I usually could find the bigger voltives, but I ended up resorting to using tealights, and changing them out about 2-3 times a night! It was neat when our neighbors asked why we were doing it, because I was able to tell them the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus and how the lights would show there was a safe place to stay at our house. OK, that's what I 'tried' to say in my attempts at Italian. I'm sure I was really saying something else entirely. LOL

This year hat been fun because we are one of the few non-Mormon families in our town. So far our neighbors haven't asked anything, but tonight was the first night we set them out, so we'll see.

Yesterday I realized that I had forgotten to find dirt or sand to put in the bags. I wasn't thinking about the snow on the ground, and how that would cover any dirt I could use. When I called a friend to ask about the cheapest place to find sand, he said that we could have a couple of bags of powdered cement that he no longer needed. Funny because it has been snowing ALL day here. I had visions of hardened luminaria bags with cute little candles permanently attached. LOL Surprisingly it stopped snowing around 6 pm.

I'm glad to see that you have a similar tradition, WG! Do you usually light the candles on Christmas Day too? What about New Year's Day? I think my Dad is one of the few people who light their's on New Year's Day.

I will send non-rain thoughts to you for this year, and for next year too.

Merry Christmas

Cindy

[earendel]

Ha! I told ya is was coming to this. Oh and that Mars thing scared the crap outta me last night.

Not to worry - just get your Slim Whitman albums ready.

[fantine33]

Yesterday I realized that I had forgotten to find dirt or sand to put in the bags. I wasn't thinking about the snow on the ground, and how that would cover any dirt I could use. When I called a friend to ask about the cheapest place to find sand, he said that we could have a couple of bags of powdered cement that he no longer needed. Funny because it has been snowing ALL day here. I had visions of hardened luminaria bags with cute little candles permanently attached. LOL Surprisingly it stopped snowing around 6 pm.

Now, you can't tell me that you don't have at least ONE huge bag o' litter lying about the house.

The church I used to go to (well, that I still go to...when I go) is an old Spanish mission and they put luminarias around all year long. I especially remember them on Palm Sunday (maybe because I always used to go to the night mass when all they had left was little slivers.

http://www.tricommunity.org/sh.htm

Note to palm hounds: If you want big, gorgeous palms suitable for hanging over a doorway or the St. Louis Arch, become personal friends with a nun. They have the cream of the crop!

[cindy.wellman]

Yesterday I realized that I had forgotten to find dirt or sand to put in the bags. I wasn't thinking about the snow on the ground, and how that would cover any dirt I could use. When I called a friend to ask about the cheapest place to find sand, he said that we could have a couple of bags of powdered cement that he no longer needed. Funny because it has been snowing ALL day here. I had visions of hardened luminaria bags with cute little candles permanently attached. LOL Surprisingly it stopped snowing around 6 pm.

Now, you can't tell me that you don't have at least ONE huge bag o' litter lying about the house.

The church I used to go to (well, that I still go to...when I go) is an old Spanish mission and they put luminarias around all year long. I especially remember them on Palm Sunday (maybe because I always used to go to the night mass when all they had left was little slivers.

http://www.tricommunity.org/sh.htm

Note to palm hounds: If you want big, gorgeous palms suitable for hanging over a doorway or the St. Louis Arch, become personal friends with a nun. They have the cream of the crop!

OMG! I *just* bought 27 pounds of SPECIAL KITTY from Wal-Mart on Saturday for $5.49. Thank you so much for reminding me that we can use kitty litter! Hmmm, since our kitties are indoor/outdoor, I hope they won't get any ideas. LOL

LOL, at your palm comment. Do you know why did the name of your church changed?

Merry Christmas!

[kayrharris]

Wow! It's a beautiful church.

We have Luminaries (that's what we call it here in the south), but only one night during the Christmas season, usually the week before Christmas. The streets are shut down to regular traffic and parking lights only on the cars coming through for the tour.

It's kinda like Wintergreen's story. If it's gonna rain, it does it on the night that was set for the Luminaries.

[gotribego26]

Wow - this went a different direction than I expected.

In Charlotte the Fire Marshall banned Luminarias - with our drought everything is too dry and water supplies too low to put out any man made fires.

So I also blamed global warming/climate change for our inability to display luminarias this year.

[fantine33]

OMG! I *just* bought 27 pounds of SPECIAL KITTY from Wal-Mart on Saturday for $5.49. Thank you so much for reminding me that we can use kitty litter! Hmmm, since our kitties are indoor/outdoor, I hope they won't get any ideas. LOL

LOL, at your palm comment. Do you know why did the name of your church changed?

Merry Christmas!

I live to serve. I might have one of those big green boxes around here as well. Ha!

The biggest and oldest church in town is St. Mary's (it became a cathedral when Colorado Springs got its own diocese several years ago) so I assume that when Sacred Heart became a church rather than a mission the dudes at St. Mary's said "dibs! we had it first!". Or something like that. Ha!

Wow! It's a beautiful church.

Thank you BoB! (Because it's all my doing, of course. Ha!) St. Mary's is bigger and grander, with golden spires and all, but it's also where I fainted one Easter morning and Sacred Heart is where I was baptized, so I have a bit more fondness for Sacred Heart. Ha!