Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, December 3, 2016

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Mountain View News Saturday, December 3, 2016


Walking Sierra Madre…The Social Side 

by Deanne Davis

“Christmas! It’s almost here!

My favorite, favorite time of year.

Think mistletoe and holly, children’s faces... jolly.

Carols on the radio, happy smiles each place you go,

Presents piled beneath the tree, some for you and some for me.”

(Think Joy! from Star of Wonder - A Christmas Musical

 Lyrics by Deanne Davis, Music by David Wheatley)

My favorite walking partner and Mt. Wilson Trail aficionado, John, and I spent Thanksgiving in Texas 
with the adorable grandchildren. I have to make a horrible confession: We didn’t cook a turkey! I know, 
we have trampled on tradition, but the honey-baked ham made everybody really happy. Coming home 
last Sunday afternoon, crossing the mountains to make our descent into Ontario Airport, we passed 
over snow capped peaks, clouds above them colored with a rosy glow as the last rays of sun capped off 
the day. By the time I realized I could whip out my camera and take a picture, our pilot had started his 
turn and we were in the clouds. That’s what happens when you’re overcome with awe.

Reaching Sierra Madre where the streets were still wet from the weekend showers, we were struck 
anew by how beautiful our town really is. Many folks have already started putting up their Christmas 
lights and when we got to Kersting Court to see this year’s beautiful tree all aglow with lights and 
covered with ornaments, and our nativity scene, we were so happy to be home. Have you noticed 
the garland ‘round the lampposts with big red bows at the top? And the banners? And that enormous 
yellow Dreidel? 

We have joined the Star Shower crowd after years of icicle lights dangling from our roof. We’re still 
planning to put regular light bulb lights out on the fence, but later. We tried one of the Star Showers 
out Monday night and were disappointed that all it would do was white stars. Seriously, Star Shower 
people, I wanted red and green and other designs. We will try out the other one tonight and hope it’s 
more exciting. Meanwhile, our neighbors, Shawn and Javier, had a brilliant idea, to cross our streets 
with lights. It’s fabulous!

Christmas decorations are coming up from the basement and Fall décor is ready to be packed away. 
My goal is to have everything in place by December 1st. I hope you’re having as much fun this holiday 
season as we are. However, shopping is not a part of our joyful experience! We make it as easy on 
ourselves as possible, giving all the small people in our world a Target gift card. Their little faces light 
up with joy and greed when they think of that thing in Target they’ve been wanting with all their hearts. 
We did not do Black Friday as we are too cowardly to venture into stores for that event. We will be 
shopping here in town for the other things we need. Hope you’re doing that, too. Speaking of stores, 
have you seen how cute and Christmas-y Goodie Bags is. Now there’s a place to pick up some sweet 
treats for stocking stuffers. 

Fresh poinsettias are in at Trader Joe’s and they are gorgeous. Easiest decorating trick ever: three or 
four poinsettias in a basket on your coffee table. Look stunning and if your house isn’t too warm and 
you remember to water them, they’ll last till New Year’s. We’ve even had some that turned into huge 
plants out on the front terrace...well, until the white flies got to them.

Thinking about Christmas... when we get a little past the new bike, doll or game stage, it gets harder to 
decide what we want, which made me think of Amy Grant’s song, My Grownup Christmas List. Here’s 
just a little of it... you can google it...

“Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee.
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies.
Well, I’m all grown up now,
But still need help somehow.
I’m not a child but my heart still can dream.

So here’s my lifelong wish,
My grown-up Christmas list,
Not for myself, but for a world in need:

No more lives torn apart,
Then wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And every one would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list.”

“Think Joy, think peace, think Christ!”

My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

Blog: www.authordeanne.com

 “A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of Laughter” is available from me!

Kindle readers, give yourself the gift of Star of Wonder – A Christmas Story

It’s on Amazon.com on my book page!

Follow me on Twitter, too! https://twitter.com/@playwrightdd


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com