A dose of nostalgia

[badseed1980]

I wasn't raised Catholic, or anything really, but every year, my parents would take us kids to LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro to see their Christmas lights display. I have fond memories of lights that were enough to dazzle a little kid, cold weather, hot cider, and bread torn from the loaf as we walked. I am getting a strong feeling that this year, I need to reacquaint myself with winter. I need to spend time outside in the cold, and watch snow fall, and catch the flakes on my tongue. I need to really relish coming in from the cold and drinking hot tea or mulled wine, and snuggling into a sweater. I need to sing Yule songs, and Christmas songs, and winter songs. I need to remember the magic of winter. It can be difficult in a city where it seems like everyone gets bitchy and whiny for most days during the winter. Maybe that's why I need to do it. I need to keep that light, that magic alive at least for me, and hopefully share it with others so that winter will seem less of a pain and more of a pleasure.

Comments

[fabricdragon.livejournal.com]

it is a GOOD thing to keep in touch with the seasons, and not let any of them turn into "ick" season.

see you january

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Yeah, while I hate dealing with driving in the snow, and the difficulties associated with getting around in the snow, when my purpose is to go somewhere, I'm kind of over the whole "I hate this white stuff" attitude I see.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Yep. And it's not just because of the handful of people on my friends list who have that attitude. It's because the whole world seems to get like that, with the exception of the false cheer in advertising at this time of year. Except kids. Kids always like snow.

[lensman.livejournal.com]

Yeah that was something our family did as well. Unfortunately the last couple of times I went as an adult, and it lost the sparkle, and was just kind of crowded...

My favorite way to connect with winter is sitting out in a hot tub/jacuzzi surrounded by the snow in the dark with a couple of good drinks and a few good friends.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that sounds like a good time! I got some outdoor hot tub time on Saturday with pierceheart, at East Heaven. It wasn't snowing, but it was COLD.

[lindalee.livejournal.com]

When I was growing up, many of my friends used to visit that every year, and talk about it. I've never been. Perhaps I should remedy this.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling that if I went now, I'd think it was tacky, but I don't remember clearly enough to be sure.

[inannaliban.livejournal.com]

We have a neighbourhood near us that becomes "Candycane Lane" in December. Every house in the neighbourhood is lavishly decorated. The hydro company helps to string the lines across the streets, and gives a discount on electricity to residents that participate.

We take our 3 year old granddaughter to see them each year. You can also get together groups and see the lights in a horse drawn wagon.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

That's nifty. In a rich area near hear, West Roxbury, there's this one house that looks like a castle, and it's beautiful. But, every year at Christmastime, the owner puts up all these horrible inflatable things and tacky displays galore. It's a nightmare. Apparently, it's even driving down property values because no one wants to live so near this blazing display of gaudiness at the holidays.

The horse drawn wagon thing sounds fun. I would really love to try the whole "one horse open sleigh" thing someday, myself. A sleigh ride, with lots of warm blankets and a thermos of something hot? Oh yeah.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

It's gotten worse: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/07/remaking_a_spectacle/

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Oh, is it JP? Thought that was into W. Roxbury.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure.

Show me a map with neighborhood boundary lines, I'd love to see one.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

No clue myself. I just assumed.

Get my e-mail? What do you want to do about dinner?

[inannaliban.livejournal.com]

Most of the people on Candycane Lane have put a lot of tme and effort into their displays. Some are really quite beautiful. We have talked about doing the hayride. There are some places in the country around here that offer sleighrides. We haven't always had enough snow in recent years. This year we have lots though.