“I am deeply tired out but then again it occurs to me that I have not led a tired life.”

-Jim Harrison

 

(Christmas 2014)

I’ve been walking the chilly downtown streets of this small town while my daughter and her honor choir do Christmas caroling.  The funny thing is it was very cold, and there were few people on the streets to witness their beautiful voices, singing into the night, without a care in the world for an audience.  This old town is a bit woebegone, especially downtown.  It, like thousands of others across this country, has lost its core and thus its character . . . courtesy of Wal-Mart and big box retailers.  But who needs an audience when they have the stars overhead and a few beaming parents, not to mention a warm art gallery waiting for them at the end of the street with hot chocolate and even Santa Clause (he had a real beard).