Christmas on the Horizon

• Thanksgiving, celebrated on the last Thursday in November, kick-starts the US Christmas holiday season and apparently is the most significant national holiday for Americans. It is also the pre-amble to Black Friday, traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. On Thanksgiving Day, the double-priced local newspaper was merely the wrapper for 39 shopping flyers inviting people to start their Black Friday shopping as early as 4 a.m.
  

• Black Friday shopping at the local WalMart didn’t seem particularly crowded, however, the media later reported that at another location, the surging crowd broke down the doors and trampled to death a WalMart greeter, injuring other staff who attempted to rescue their colleague and loudly protesting the interruption occasioned by a police announcement that the store would close to allow for body recovery.

• As in many American towns, the Saturday after Thanksgiving features an Electric Light Parade. For a town of its size, Casa Grande’s Electric Light Parade puts on a very impressive parade. There were more than 80 entries including numerous floats sponsored by local churches, marching bands, and fire trucks belting out Christmas tunes and best wishes. Folks lining the street clapped and cheered for each group, but none got more recognition than the group of uniformed military personnel, whose marching boots provided a reminder of the need to appreciate those who serve at home and abroad.

• Palm Creek residents are engaging in their own pre-Christmas frenzy preparing for judgement in the resort’s annual holiday lighting competition. Each site has its own palm tree and some neighbours seem engaged in a challenge to see who can string the most lights onto a single palm tree and whose lights can be strung the highest. My favourite decoration is actually an electric palm tree. If necessary, I will be knocking on the owner’s door to find out where I can get one for my gadget collection.

• Yes, everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit, including mineRVa. In keeping with her relatively humble stature, mineRVa is strung with only two hundred lights notable only because they are solar powered. I am sure this feature is coveted by neighbours whose hydro meters are spinning like tops.
  

• Seasons Greetings everyone!