Five in Five: Twinkling Lights

As is often the case, I’m a few days late with my Five in Five post—five photos in five minutes (to be taken on the 5th.) Early Monday morning I was trying to think about what I might do for this meme, hosted by Sandi each month, when I looked up and saw the twinkling lights in our living room. Then I realized we’d added some new twinkling lights this year, and it took less than five minutes to hop up and take these photos with my iPhone. We’ve had little white lights on our tree for many years now, and purchased the lights for the mantle in Indiana several years ago.

The lights around our kitchen window were added just last year. We never took them down, but rarely turned them on after the holiday. Now we turn them on every morning and again at dinner time.

We’ve had a little artificial tree on our patio table for several years as well, and for the last two years some lights on the lower fence. This year Tracy added white lights to our new wrought iron railing around the patio. Once we had them all lit, he decided that the white lights on the tree needed to be changed to colored ones. Even though they can’t be seen by more than a couple neighbors, we can see them from the kitchen, the dining room, and from one window in the living room.

The outside lights have been around for a few years, and we’ve had the wreath (one of three) for probably twenty years. The bows have been changed a few times, though. The small trees on the porch have been replaces at least once. One year, one of them disappeared overnight. So strange. 

The twinkling lights add a festive feel to the house which is more needed this year than any before. COVID is taking its toll here, and we’re more house-bound than we’ve been since early spring. That’s not likely to change. If predictions hold true we’re in for several more months of serious infection before the vaccine will be available widely enough to make a difference. If only the necessary precautions had not become so politicized in the United States, we might find ourselves in a better situation. Here most people seems to wear masks, but I think they’re a little less conscientious about social distancing. The big difference seems to be the increase in family gatherings (even before the Thanksgiving holiday) and indoor dining. I do miss going out with friends, but I’m happy to cook at home.

Thanks to Sandi for hosting this most months this year. I always enjoy the challenge.