Happy Holidays!

Okay, so yesterday I was a bit of a Debbie Downer, it being Christmas Eve, but both our kids have the flu. They were upstairs in their rooms, feeling miserable, and we decided to pretend that today is Christmas Eve and we’ll have presents under the tree tomorrow. So that’s my excuse.

The kids are still upstairs today, but both feeling slightly better, so I have high hopes for tomorrow. But for everyone else, Merry Christmas today. Or not, if you don’t celebrate it.

Either way, I thought I’d share some pictures from the Trail of Lights in Austin’s Zilker Park. The past two years they didn’t do it, because the city had to tighten its belt. We really missed it. But this year some big companies–Dell among others–sponsored it, and it was back even better than before.

Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock were somewhere, singing carols and trying to get everyone to break the record of the largest number of people singing carols at once. We heard them on the loudspeakers, but we never saw the stage. It was cool, though.

The Trail of Lights is free, and it’s just wonderful to be in a huge crowd, enjoying the lights and the relatively cool weather and the atmosphere. We went four days ago. I didn’t bring a tripod, so the pictures aren’t perfectly sharp, but they still convey the weird and wonderful and sometimes just plain freaky mishmash of displays.

9 responses to “Happy Holidays!”

Alison | December 26, 2012 at 5:35 am | Reply

How nice that the lights were able to go up again this year! I hope everyone is feeling better today. It’s tweede kerstdag anyway!

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- Barbara Backer-Gray | January 1, 2013 at 4:43 pm | Reply
  
  Thanks. No, R was still sick and I got sick, so we ended up celebrating Christmas on the 30th. It’s all good. Happy New Year!
  
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Fork in My Eye | December 26, 2012 at 11:20 am | Reply

I can’t believe Austin called off the Trail of Lights! I’m glad it’s back though. Love the photos. And your poor kids! Hope they’re are feeling better and you’re delayed holiday is going well.

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- Barbara Backer-Gray | January 1, 2013 at 4:42 pm | Reply
  
  Thanks. Yes, the kids are now better. I got the flu as well, and I’m now also over the worst of it. We’ll probably all be back to normal right on time for school. Happy New Year!
  
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  - Fork in My Eye | January 1, 2013 at 10:27 pm |
    
    I’m so sorry you got it too. I’ve been lucky and never had the flu as an adult (though our kids have had it). Glad you’re on the mend. Thanks for the well wishes and same to you!
    
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Michiel Horn | December 27, 2012 at 1:27 am | Reply

I like your photos. Happy new year!

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- Barbara Backer-Gray | January 1, 2013 at 4:41 pm | Reply
  
  Thank you,. You too, Michiel!
  
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Munira | January 8, 2013 at 4:44 pm | Reply

Some of the pics are so surreal. Love them all!

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- Barbara Backer-Gray | January 9, 2013 at 3:38 pm | Reply
  
  Thanks!
  
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