Slow Happy Hours

As it gets dark, the Christmas lights come on -- in batches, spots. Here and there and, eventually (as the night gets more fully established) large swaths of multicolored shapes and forms. You can see some displays from far away; others are more subdued. All are worth a look, though.

The night gets deeper, more cold, and the lights go out. Timers or switches flicking to "off". There's a reverse to the evening light up...a light down, perhaps.

And the night gets quiet. And dark.

It's Christmas Eve and my presents are wrapped.

At the moment, I feel like I should be sipping a glass of red wine -- but I'm chewing gum and drinking cold water, instead.

The holidays sure have bounced up quickly again. Things have been busy, but there is a sense of culmination at this point. Most of my tasks are done; now I want to click "on" to savoring mode. And slow down to feel the moments. They cycle by just as quickly.

So.

I'm thinking of that red glass...and maybe settling in with a book I have on my "To Read" stack. Ray Bradbury's, From the Dust Returned...

Here's to a slow and very happy Holiday.