Refined Aesthetes
Who do they think they are, anyway? Do we really need this deliberate shove toward the Season of Light? Our local newspaper - obviously feeling that their readers deserve and require a refreshing change from the financial doom-and-gloom news that has been capturing headlines for these dreary months - has taken it upon themselves to shine a radiant glimmer of joy to brighten our days.
It is, after all, bitterly cold out, we've been blessed with too much of a white Christmas - we're sick and tired of shovelling and battling traffic bunged up as a result of adverse weather conditions and a transit strike. And Christmas somehow doesn't seem quite as joyful with fewer people able, as a result of the economic chaos and uncertainty, to shop to their hearts' content.
Right! Thought some enterprising editor, time to give those poor folks a break. Something to smile at, to laugh about, to nudge memories and reminiscences. Top of the fold, in bright colour and excruciating detail, a huge photograph of an enterprising elderly pair of Ottawans who have devoted years of avid assembling to present to the world a vision of refined aesthetics.
Their home of thirty-six years of happy ownership, is packed, inside and out with memorabilia, bright and tawdry plush animals, plastic flowers, cut glass, photographs, posters, plastic angels, hobby horses, plaster creches, and any other kind of imperishable junk imaginable.
Imagine a mixture, if you will, of baby Jesus, the wise men, Santas in various guises, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the 7 Dwarfs, model trains, plastic animals.
This really is a "festive" spectacle. And it's not just for this holiday season, to encourage the Christmas mood, but one for all seasons; the display altered to reflect and highlight whatever festival or special occasion presents itself. Their collection is a celebration of excess, assaulting bruised sensibilities.
But it should be pointed out this is an innocent offence to good taste, one that elicits chuckles, some genuinely appreciative, some undoubtedly patronizing.
But look at these two, this devoted pair, married for a half-century, raising three children in a loving, emotionally supportive environment. They revel in the garishness of their seasonal and year-round presentation to their neighbours, their gift to the community, where cars slow down to take a second and third look.
Where during Easter, plastic bunnies romp on the lawn, and at other milder, seasons 200 goldfish swim happily in huge outdoor aquariums.
Lights festooned everywhere, they rack up very robust hydro bills. But it's worth every penny it takes, they say, for they love their display, and add to it continually. Although it's hard to imagine where there's any space left to display anything.
This tradition obviously gives them purpose and delight in life. The festooned Christmas trees, the Santa, sleighs and reindeer, the nutcrackers, plastic pumpkins and skulls.
It's a family tradition, a community heritage project which, in fact, the community appears to appreciate, relishing the existence of the hula dolls, the Lion King, Miss Piggy, dolphins and doves. Sparking an indelible note of bonhomie and festivity every day of the year. It's a movable feast, and all are invited.
So much for the delicacy of aristocratic taste.
Good neighbours, a happy family, extending a tradition for all to enjoy.
Oh well, doubtless there are some exceptions. Hands up, you over there.
It is, after all, bitterly cold out, we've been blessed with too much of a white Christmas - we're sick and tired of shovelling and battling traffic bunged up as a result of adverse weather conditions and a transit strike. And Christmas somehow doesn't seem quite as joyful with fewer people able, as a result of the economic chaos and uncertainty, to shop to their hearts' content.
Right! Thought some enterprising editor, time to give those poor folks a break. Something to smile at, to laugh about, to nudge memories and reminiscences. Top of the fold, in bright colour and excruciating detail, a huge photograph of an enterprising elderly pair of Ottawans who have devoted years of avid assembling to present to the world a vision of refined aesthetics.
Their home of thirty-six years of happy ownership, is packed, inside and out with memorabilia, bright and tawdry plush animals, plastic flowers, cut glass, photographs, posters, plastic angels, hobby horses, plaster creches, and any other kind of imperishable junk imaginable.
Imagine a mixture, if you will, of baby Jesus, the wise men, Santas in various guises, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the 7 Dwarfs, model trains, plastic animals.
This really is a "festive" spectacle. And it's not just for this holiday season, to encourage the Christmas mood, but one for all seasons; the display altered to reflect and highlight whatever festival or special occasion presents itself. Their collection is a celebration of excess, assaulting bruised sensibilities.
But it should be pointed out this is an innocent offence to good taste, one that elicits chuckles, some genuinely appreciative, some undoubtedly patronizing.
But look at these two, this devoted pair, married for a half-century, raising three children in a loving, emotionally supportive environment. They revel in the garishness of their seasonal and year-round presentation to their neighbours, their gift to the community, where cars slow down to take a second and third look.
Where during Easter, plastic bunnies romp on the lawn, and at other milder, seasons 200 goldfish swim happily in huge outdoor aquariums.
Lights festooned everywhere, they rack up very robust hydro bills. But it's worth every penny it takes, they say, for they love their display, and add to it continually. Although it's hard to imagine where there's any space left to display anything.
This tradition obviously gives them purpose and delight in life. The festooned Christmas trees, the Santa, sleighs and reindeer, the nutcrackers, plastic pumpkins and skulls.
It's a family tradition, a community heritage project which, in fact, the community appears to appreciate, relishing the existence of the hula dolls, the Lion King, Miss Piggy, dolphins and doves. Sparking an indelible note of bonhomie and festivity every day of the year. It's a movable feast, and all are invited.
So much for the delicacy of aristocratic taste.
Good neighbours, a happy family, extending a tradition for all to enjoy.
Oh well, doubtless there are some exceptions. Hands up, you over there.
Labels: Environment, Human Relations, Whoops
posted by Pieface @ 6:44 PM
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