CHRISTmas

Yep. Do not take Christ out of  Christmas. I had an elementary school teacher...can't remember which year...that was totally opposed to abbreviating Christmas as "Xmas". She said it took Christ our of Christmas. With everything going on today around this annual celebration of the birth of Christ, I wonder how she would feel about the "Happy Holidays" crap.
Oh, well...enough of that.
The Jacksonville (NC) Rotary Club-sponsored flotilla was this past Saturday night. Here, in the sunny South (yes, with a capital S), the last thing we expected on 4 December were a few snow flakes/flurries, and either frezing rain or sleet (there is a difference, I know, but when ice falls from the sky as little chunks, I could care less what you call it. Meteorologists can explain it, and get upset if I call it the wrong thing...you know, meteorologists. The guys who daily report clear, overcast, sunny...whatever..."skies". Like there is more than one?). But, ice pellets and a few snow flakes actually appeared for the annual Christmas Flotilla.
Nice.
A mood setter, for sure.

The boats were decorated with loving care.

 Reflections dancing in the water. Crowds lined the bridge along Old Bridge Street (closed to vehicle traffic for the event).

Boats, big and little. Every skipper was proud.

It was fun for all, including yours truly and his crew of a half dozen, or so.



My dad would have been proud. This was his boat. A small one, great for clamming. And, the Tarplees did a bang-up job in making her shine for the evening.



Lotsa boats. Lotsa fun. If you have a boat, you've got a year to make her ready. And, Robie (my wife) and I have plans to make ours sing out Lima Charlie in 2011 (you don't know what that means? Ask any serviceman or former serviceman).

By the way, thanks to the Jacksonville (NC) Daily News for sending a photog out. The pictures in the Sunday paper were nice. I'm sure all appreciated the coverage. The photos here are from me.

Merry CHRISTmas to all.