I have this fascination with opposites.   The idea that a celebration of a humble birth in a lowly stable brings out the most extreme frenzy of ostentatious display in some people, and in whole communities, draws me in somehow. Funny because I spend a lot of my time peering at tiny native flowers through a magnifying glass and watching the affairs of ants and the like. Deserts greatly appeal to me.
For just a few hours on Christmas Eve we'll walk the streets of the little town nearby singing carols and looking at the pretty lights. The residents of the town are rather more restrained than those of the wealthy suburbs of Melbourne so I won't get to indulge myself as I used to when we lived in the city.
Yesterday I bought three bags of decorations from the thrift shop - old-fashioned ones - little wooden angels and snowmen and older-style coloured balls. Someone has cleaned out Grandma's house it seems and not had any time for such lowtech objects. Wouldn't match the electric display. Our gain. Today I'll hang them in The Dell - a small area under an overhanging Meleluca tree. Magpies will make off with the most colouful ones probably. Joy