Sunday Wonders - T & U

T is for Trees...

Christmas trees.  Yesterday, I spent some time helping to get our local town square decorated for Christmas.  Last year was the first time we had this event locally - it's been around for a long time in other places - and it was so much fun we decided to do it again.

It is a community fundraiser.  Each merchant or organization pays to have a tree to decorate.  That's step one.  Next volunteers turn out to set the scene.  Trucking in concrete stand and naked trees.  Step three is for more volunteers to turn up with tote bins full of lights and weather-proof ornaments and garlands that reflect each business or organization.

So, now it becomes a marketing exercise as well.  Our seniors' tree has objects which represent the various activities that our organization provides for seniors in the community.  There is a yellow school bus for our many bus trips; several running shoes for the walking groups.  Yin/yang for the tai chi classes and little plastic instruments for our musical drop in sessions.  Happy Fisher-Price people show off the fun and friendships that are developed.  And there seems to be a fair amount of food items on the tree, too.  We have  several food programs.

Sometimes, there is an added donation element where passersby can vote for their favorite tree.  The ballots 'cost' you a donation.  Whether it's money or an item for the food bank someone in the community will benefit from that vote.    All worthy causes.

And U is for Umbrella.  Yesterday was a two-umbrella day and we didn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain. Instead we wound around the tree with our light strings and climbed ladders while getting thoroughly soaked.  I always think we have more fun when conditions are less than perfect.   So, the tree is up and we think it looks wonderful.  And definitely worth your vote!

Sorry there are no photos today.  I have met Picasa's paywall again and need to decide what to do.  Deleting photos to make space is not a real option any more.  And I'm not objecting to paying...well maybe a little...but me being me, I'm not comfortable with the idea of that Google wallet...any Picasa users out there with positive experiences? While I have no choices here, I'd like to have some reassurance.  I need love to have photos - today's tree shots to come just as soon as I resolve this.