This morning we came out of the Foxtowne Coffee Shop, and the tree service truck was parked on Deerfield Avenue with the cherry picker raised. The Christmas lights were coming down. It was so warm today. We woke to the sound of rain; the river and brooks were full. But the late afternoon was glorious. The skies were cloud-filled. They glowed golden and blue.

This was December. I so love the lights here. They connect me to when I first came to this town, and then, the lights connected me to Tulsa, to childhood, to the family tree glowing with red, green, yellow-gold, blue and white lights. And the slow drive with the family around city neighborhoods that one night during the holiday season before Christmas. Magical lights.

But now, it is February. My older sister will have another birthday soon. Margaret's daughter-in-law will be on Millionaire on February 13. Once that happens, all the anticipation building before Christmas will be over. Even the snow is being rained and warmed away.

Still, there's Valentine's Day coming. Which means that sugaring season is just around the corner. All of this is to say that tonight I'm visiting my blog. There's talk of travel again. Although each day is worthy of note.