Y is for Yuletide

Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday challenge is "Y".

Reflections in the bay window of Otto and Kristin's house in Port Townsend.
I was trying for a Escher-like effect, even seeing through darker parts
to the shrubs outside of the window.

Now, I know it's strange to be writing about Christmas on a sweltering day in July with the temperature in the upper nineties and no air-conditioning. But what better time to try to remember a season when frost nipped the nose, and (believe it or not) mittens and mufflers were welcome? Especially in Ontario, Oregon, where our daughter Candace lives, or in Port Townsend, Washington, where son Otto lives.

And in those colder climes, fires were something to welcome, not to fear. Fires continue to rage in California and two of them threaten our dear redwoods retreat in Mendocino County, one from the east and one from the southwest.

Maybe this will cool me off a bit!

This noble fir graced daughter Candace's living room.

This tree is in the home of the younger Otto Smiths in Port Townsend, Washington.
Otto's wife and my good friend, Kristin, is dressed in her Swedish holiday wear.

Christmas poinsettia in Candy's house.


Monkey Boy enjoys the fire in the home of grandson Joe, his wife April,
great-grandson Ocean and - of course - Monkey Boy.
They live a few miles out of Port Townsend.