Ho Ho Ho 2018

St Paul's

the unknown dome

January 4^th, 11 degrees outside and sunny in what, so far, has been a mild winter. At almost latitude 49 the days are short and, with our winter cloud/rain, some days are short and dark like yesterday when it seemed like night by 4:00pm. Instead of long evenings on the balcony or patio, we relish Christmas lights and events and celebrate December 21 when the earth seems to stand still and then move back toward the sun. Our 2018 Christmas “season” started in November with a 3 day jaunt to Vancouver. We had gorgeous weather and the city was well into decorations. I loved the Scandi theme decor at Nordstrom's and St. Paul's Hospital had a huge fund-raising display of stars (that little silhouette against the red is Jim). We weren't sure what the dome was for but it had a red carpet down the middle as though something was going to happen inside.

Then we did a quick flip (2^nd one in 6 weeks) back to the Maritimes for Paul’s 50^th birthday and took in the Father Christmas Festival in Mahone Bay as well as the annual Christmas party to light the Stars of Russell at Chez Griffith. 

birthday boy

 And on the home front there is always so much to do and see! We managed to get to the Santa Claus parade, Butchart Gardens, the tuba Christmas concert, the tree festival, the gingerbread competition, some theatre, went to a few parties, hosted 2 parties for groups we are associated with, and had 20 for Christmas dinner.

Where's Waldo?

Butchart Gardens

Tuba concert with 113 musicians

At almost the last minute I did a couple of shifts for the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign, a very minor contribution to a worthy cause. Maybe it is different in other places but they were having trouble getting volunteers this year and donations were down. I did the early afternoon shift on December 21, prime time for the campaign, and there was no one on duty before or after me. That means the kettle is idle and no money. Christmas is a hot time for charities, especially food banks, Christmas hampers, refugees, homeless shelters and children’s programs; every one of them supporting vulnerable people. It can result in donor fatigue and with high expectations for a “Merry Christmas” everyone is stretched for cash. Yes, being on The Kettle can be boring and after a couple of hours of bell-ringing I was sore, but the SA is always on the front line in the worst places, no questions asked so it felt good to be there.

Me dressed for the +10 degrees I had to endure on the Kettle!