This is my home game entry for The
Real LJ Idol. I am not competing this season but invite you to read
the many fine submissions here.
This is a free topic week, meaning there will be no eliminations. The
topics are: "Unwrapping," "Winter Wonderland," "Rosebud"
and "Freaky Friday." I went with "Unwrapping."
Christmas has come and gone, and you probably thought
you'd seen the last of your presents. Not so! Come with me and unwrap
the wonders of Christmas in my small, Central Pennsylvania hometown.
(Faster-loading
version)
A window painted with a stocking based on a child's
design.
What's in (or, if you want to be technical, on) this stocking?
Christmas ornaments, a tree, a candy cane, and of course, ham!
(Faster-loading
version)
The hardware store's window features gold banners,
suspended metallic Christmas balls, a large wreath decorated with fake
snow,
and — wait for it — wood stoves! On sale!
(Faster-loading
version)
You'll never guess what this store sells.
If you looked at the bracelets and necklaces
all over this small tree and guessed jewelry... you win!
(Faster-loading
version)
The resident cat in one store, a big white kitty,
looks right at home between two fake snowmen
and next to a fake silver tree. And no, he's not for sale.
(Faster-loading
version)
The YMCA's window is decorated with paper stockings
colored by local children. Unfortunately, moisture running down the
window
streaked several of them. Sorry about that.
Also, sorry about the empty bookshelf
sitting in full view of the window.
Anyone care to donate some books?
(Faster-loading
version)
Even the local refuse participates in the Christmas
spirit.
Here, a "candle" consisting of a strip of red plastic
and some chewed gum, found on the street.
(Faster-loading
version)
My favorite display was in the dry cleaner's window,
where he decorated a tree with garlands of
dry-cleaning tickets, some of them reading, "STAIN."
(Faster-loading
version)
In this shot, you can get a better view of some of the
tickets
that have been strung together into a garland in the dry cleaner's window.
(Faster-loading
version)
I hope you enjoyed the Christmas tour of my hometown.
Now, a wooden Santa waves good-bye
before he flies off to Florida to work on his already impressive tan.
