The menorahs have all been lit for eight nights signalling the miracle of the festival of lights and some lucky ones among us got eight little token gifts- one for each night- and even luckier still, maybe some homemade latkes and homemade applesauce. And everybody knows that the swag of a little Hanukah gelt (read chocolate coins!) goes a long long way!

Greenery has been snagged, grabbed and swagged, wrapped up and down porch posts, inviting guests, friends and family to come inside, get warm and cozy and be part of the holiday scene.

Christmas trees have been put up in their christmas tree stands, continually watered so as not to dry out and some have been decorated quite traditionally and garlanded  in rather staid fashion- recalling Christmas days of yore, while others have been blitzed by a new and astonishing array of LED lights in the most marvelous colors like deep violet, royal neon blue, amber and scarlet. Even an eye popping, eye opening hot pink. Love it!

A bit of snow is slanting sideways past the window as I sit here in the office at Wright Bros. Real Estate- not nearly enough to cause any sense of panic or stampedes of desperate people feeling like they have to stock up for a winter white out. Just a hardy snowflake or two- not enough to even sneeze at. Now even that has stopped and a slight but very chill breeze flutters the garlands decorating the front porch.

In spite of Sandy- a most UNWELCOME guest, Nyack still looks beautiful and I am glad that I live here and can enjoy Nyack from my home, from my office or just wandering up and down Main Street and across South and Norh Broadway. I love to wander, window shopping and getting ideas for those last minute but sometimes most important gifts. Maybe I'll bump into you too. If you see a woman dressed all in black (I still haven't been able to move out of my comfort zone color and into the light) with a tall chai from the Art Cafe in hand, you might just bump into me!

I wish you all Happy and Healthy Holidays filled with Good Cheer and a New Year filled with at least some modicum of Peace here and throughout the World.