The Snow Was Worth It

My writing pal, Lala, came to stay for the night and we went out to the botanical garden to visit the Festival of Lights.  I splurged on wagon ride tickets too, which was a good thing to do but a not so good platform for night digital photography.  That meant that after our ride we walked the same trail (what a pity) and then went through the caterpillar and around the upper garden displays.  It was a cold, clear night with a half-moon, a light wind, and lots of happy people tromping around in the dark.  I think the most surprising display, tucked in a dark spot off the main path up near the herb garden, was a planter with a ball of lights no bigger than a basketball hanging under an arch that had 2 cylinder things on it.  I couldn't imagine what those cylinders were, they looked like lights but obviously weren't.  Lala very cleverly bent down to look closer and discovered the viewing lens.  "Babbums, it's a kaleidoscope!" she said and we were hooked.  I even managed to take a picture of the view.  Whee!  Inside there was a real Santa (hey, he looked like the real deal to me) and a model train display.  It was so much fun; the place was crowded with people of all ages all bundled up and smiling.  Too rare in this day and age.  I'm putting on lots of pix and I didn't write again last night.  Hey, we had company and stayed up too late.  Time to think about wrapping a few gifts.  Or maybe take a nap.

--Barbara Sue