A Festival of Trees
I have a feeling this is only the first of many “Festival of Trees”. I was looking for lighting displays and when the list came up there were festivals of trees everywhere.
How did I end up at the Easton Garden Club’s “Festival of Trees”? A friend of mine asked me to take pictures of her two children for the annual Christmas Card. It took some juggling because between the kids school schedule, my friend’s work schedule and my work schedule there didn’t seem to be anytime to get together. The challenge was complicated by needing a holiday background. They didn’t have their tree up yet. Finally we adults decided to take the kids to see the Festival of Trees. It was close to their home and we figured there must be something there to use as a background. A couple of shots in front of a tree and the kids could go back to being kids. Easy Peasey, right?
I volunteered to take the day off from work. It was an afternoon event and then we’d take the kids to see the “Lighting of the Rockery” in Easton Center in the evening. Sounded like a good idea at the time. The only problem was the kids didn’t get the memo.
I picked the little family up at 2:30 and we took a leisurely drive the couple of miles to the Festival. It was inside so we didn’t need to worry about the weather.
Young Dawn was all dressed up for the picture. So far so good. But that was as far as it went.
Inside the large building tree after tree was decorated. There was so many trees.
They had names like “A Black Tie Affair”,
It’s a Dog’s Life, Aqua Splendor and many more. There was even a tree that I think you’ll recognize.
There was a Grinch set up for photos. Perfect (not). And Thing #1 and Thing #2 with the Cat in the Hat!
That was when I hit the first road block. Both children turned into the human versions of Thing 1 and Thing 2. They didn’t want to be in the same picture together and they didn’t want to be in a picture with the Grinch. Each had their own favorite tree but didn’t want to share.
I’ll let Santa sort out the Naughty or Nice list. Sometimes it’s better to punt, so separate pictures it was.
The Center of Easton was bustling with Bouncy Houses, Fried Dough and Hot dog stands.
Santa arrived riding in a Fire truck and Elmo and Rudolph worked the crowd.
Then it was time for the big event.
A rock wall called the Rockery was lit with hundreds of holiday lights. The DJ cranked out lively Christmas tunes like Rockin’ Around the Christmas tree. It was a jolly old crowd that cheered the lighting.
By now it was quite dark and time to return, Daughter Dawn , Son Alex and Mom Nancy back to their little home.
Mom Nancy and I will put our heads together to plot the next attempt to secure this year’s Christmas photo. We’ll only get one more try because Christmas is right around the corner.
Rocky the Flying Cat
From 1959 – 1964 the airwaves were filled with the Adventures of Rocky the Flying Squirrel and his side kick Bullwinkle the Moose. Their adventures included matching wits with the villains, Natasha and Boris, archenemies of the “Moose and Squirrel”.
I loved that show and wish I could say that Rocky the Squirrel was the inspiration for my cat’s name but it wouldn’t be true. He was actually named after the boxer in the “Rocky” movies. In the movies no matter how battered and beaten Rocky ended up, he never gave up, shook it off and came back to win the boxing match. Well, when I rescued my Rocky he was a tiny kitten and a young boy was abusing him. When I came racing to the rescue the kid tossed the kitten into a shopping cart and ran. That little bit of orange fluff was so tiny he fell through the wire floor of the cart to the ground. As I approached, the kitten stood up, shook himself and headed for me with his wobbly little kitten walk.
When I took him to the vet they said I had to name him or they wouldn’t treat him. Rocky was the only name that came to mind. From that first day he embraced the name, even coming when I call “Rocky”.
Now 12 years later Rocky the Cat continues to be unique compared to any other cat I have ever shared a home with, and there have been many. He likes affection but barely slows down long enough to get any. He will cuddle but not in your lap…that’s another story for another time.
Today is a classic Christmas Disaster Story.
I’ve been working from home now since July. When I do go out ( for meetings, photo shoots, shopping, life) the cats, Rocky, Smokey and Buddy all get very hyper when I return. It’s usually pretty funny to watch them all racing around. What a happy welcome!
This time it wasn’t so funny. My little 48 inch table top Christmas Tree was all set up in the living room. Rocky had shown some interest but that had begun to slow down as he got used to it. The other two cats paid it no attention at all.
I was at a meeting in Dedham from 11am- returning home around 3pm and the cats were doing their run around crazy greeting. Buddy ran past the tree at ground level with Rocky in hot pursuit except Rocky decided to try for the “High Road”. He launched himself in a great leap that brought him down right in the middle of the tree. A little to the left and he would have flattened Buddy . Instead down crashed the tree to the floor where it landed on top of the shocked kitty. Still tangled in the string of lights, Rocky took off like a shot , dragging the tree across the living room floor, ornaments scattering everywhere. Then Rocky broke free and made a bee line to the bedroom.
RIP Christmas Tree 
I didn’t take pictures of the carnage. My first reaction was to unplug the tree to avoid a fire or electrocuting the cat. My 2nd reaction was to check Rocky for broken bones or cuts and scrapes. He seemed to be unscathed.
Then I returned to the living room to pick up the mess. The silence was strange. No curious cats poked in the wreckage or teasing for treats. No one was running around anymore. It was almost like they had all put themselves in “time out”.
Epilogue
The tree is back together. It’s artificial. Only one light bulb was broken. The ornaments are plastic or Styrofoam so no damage there. It lights up and I’ve re-trimmed it. Rocky the Flying Cat has checked it out…from a distance. The other 2 cats ignore it. Maybe I’ll get Rocky a cape to wear for Christmas.
100 Years of Lights
My adopted city of Taunton, MA is known as the Christmas City. Every year the city goes all out with a light display.
The Annual Lighting of the Green and Lights On Festival is traditionally held the Friday following the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Lighting of the Green has happened in the center of Taunton for 100 years, and we hope this tradition will survive 100 more. This year’s Lighting of the Green will be focused on 100 years of family memories, and it’s sure to offer something for the whole family.
Originally the Green was decorated to draw shoppers to the downtown area. Over the years people from all over New England came to see the Decorated Center of Taunton.
This has continued even with other major light shows in the area such as the lights at LaSalette Shrine and Edaville Railroad.
In the beginning it was just Christmas trees. Over the years it evolved to displays, some of which were motorized and moved.
One of the factors that contributed to Taunton’s reputation as the Christmas City is that prior to 1951, there was no Route 24. That meant that all the people who were traveling between Boston and Fall River would have to go through downtown Taunton when using routes 140, 44 and 138.
The 1948 display was the first to feature an illuminated sign that reads, “THE CHRISTMAS CITY,” and during that year WBZ-TV first came on the air and broadcast the lighting of the Taunton Green.
I’ve only lived in Taunton since 2006 but have embraced the city and it’s traditions. Unlike many of the other places I’ve lived, this doesn’t feel like a “stop along the way”. I feel a pride of place that I haven’t experienced except in my original hometown in New York.
Because of my work schedule I have never had a chance to attend the Lighting of the Green Ceremony and even though I have the day off this year, I will miss it again as I have a previous commitment to a friend. But missing the festivities is really a small price as the Green will be decorated and lit throughout the Christmas Season. I will have my chance to enjoy the lights and take my photos as I have in years past and I promise you’ll see them right here.
Pearl Harbor
I am feeling angry today. Angry that we still haven’t learned the lessons of the past.
Sometimes this day makes me feel sad but it never fails to move me. I have been to Pearl Harbor. I have heard the broadcasts. I have seen the films. I have been moved beyond description by the events that happened 10 years before my time.
December 7, 1941. The day that will live in Infamy!
The quiet of a peaceful day in paradise was shattered when at 7:48 am Hawaiian Time the base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers.
Ninety minutes after it began, the attack was over, as 2,386 Americans died (48 – 68 were civilians, most killed by unexploded American anti-aircraft shells landing in civilian areas), a further 1,139 wounded. Eighteen ships were sunk or run aground, including five battleships.
Of the American fatalities, nearly half were due to the explosion of the Arizona’s forward magazine after it took a hit by a 16 in. shell.
The Japanese expected to keep America out of the war by destroying the fleet. Instead they only served to “awaken a sleeping giant.”
In the wake of the attack, 15 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Stars, four Navy and Marine Corps Medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, and three Bronze Star Medals were awarded to the American servicemen who distinguished themselves in combat at Pearl Harbor. Additionally, a special military award, the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, was later authorized for all military veterans of the attack.
Go to Oahu, visit Pearl Harbor, thank all of those young men and women who woke up in Paradise and ended their day in Hell.
