(There are only four ornaments on the tree, so far. Two I found in a plastic tray that must have been in Big Mama’s mud room, and commemorate the Central Building and the Rose Hill Schools where she was educated in the little Ohio River Valley town of Belleaire, and was the first of her family to be Valedictorian and the first to attend college. On scholarship, of course.)

The sleet commenced right on schedule, and continued through the afternoon, coating the bushes with a thin coating of ice, and rendering all flat surfaces slick and treacherous.

It was actually a pathetic amount, by Michigan standards, but the Inn at Little Washington Christmas parade, once on, was off again. There was no way I was gong to venture out onto the country lane. Too many Virginians out there for safety.

(The Rose Hill School, 1909-2001.)

I got some stuff done in the garage, at least until my fingers started to go numb, and then decided on a tactical retreat to the house and the warmth of a cheery fire, the cozy sound of large men impacting the frozen ground on the NFL games, and some interior projects made it a pleasant afternoon.

(This White House Historical Association ornament was issued under the reign of Mr. Bush, and commemorates the White House as it looked in the Rutherford B. Hayes Administration.)

I decorated the faux Methodist Tree- but that I mean no disrespect to the Methodists, but rather to the fact that is an artificial contraction) with two White House ornaments (2004 and 2009, commemorating both the Bush and Obama Administrations), and two from Big Mama’s Belleaire High School Class of 1941 reunions. And a strand of colored lights that came in the box with the parts of the tree, and which actually worked.

It is sort of down-market, compared to some of the displays I have seen, but I am happy with it.

(This 2009 WHHA ornament is intended to honor the Administration of Grover Cleveland, though I have to say that the image is one suspiciously of a New Dawn. Just a coincidence, I am sure)

The white stuff continued to pile up, and with an eye to the power going out, put all the devices on the chargers, located candles and flashlights and surrendered the rest of the day to the storm. And to the sugar plum and vodka fairies.

First wintry mix of the season, and according to the radio, more to come. I may have to get on the road to place myself squarely between the storm warnings.

Copyright 2013 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303