After a late evening Doctor's appointment, I returned to Murphys in time for Christmas Open House held every year on Main St. Fire buckets up and down the street give light and warmth as folks make their way from shop to shop. Or for a bag pipe player to practice his craft for anyone who will listen.
The Murphys Hotel, festooned on three sides, looked like the Fourth of July. A fellow was juggling and spinning lighted batons to entertain the crowds, but my picture was one big blur.
Everyone is welcome to do their own thing. This fairy tale princess rode around town on a bicycle dressed just like her. She stopped for a cigarette.
From the East end of town, I looked into a gallery and ran into Marlene Bradford, a friend and neighbor who tried to teach me to be a sculptor. I watched her make this fish so I took her picture with it. Then five old friends I hadn't seen in six months showed up, which for me, is why I like the Christmas festivities.
Pam Quyle got separated from her friends, cell phones not on, so she waited for them to find her. We chatted until I got cold and ditched inside the shop...
What did I find? Like a golf hole, this apparatus is for frisbee players. Murphys, San Andreas and Bear Valley now have a course. Frisbee is very popular. I took this picture for my son-in-law, Cedric, who is a tournament player. If we were a gift trading family...only $149.
Since I hadn't had dinner, I was searching for cookies. At Tanners Wine Shop, Amy was serving her decadent Cowgirl Apple Dumplings. She gave me a double since I hadn't had dinner. Oh, yum. Better than cookies. She claims the secret is gravenstein apples and dumping a can of Mountain Dew over the whole works. "It is one of two delicious unhealthy things I make," she told me. "I never use mock whipped cream except for that pretzel jello salad, it doesn't work with real whipped cream." I know, I've made it too. Ah, let us all praise decadent desserts.
This gallery has a piano player every year. I missed all the choral groups on the street that played Christmas Carols.
The Brew Pub had a good rock band and people were dancing, listening and having fun.
At the tea shop? Bonanza! Cookies and tea. I stayed and talked to the owner and was surprised to be reminded she has had the tea shop for 10 years. Businesses change hands, close, and each year you miss another one. I often remember the business that was in the spot before. Beautiful Christmas trees in the shops were enjoyable. I've off loaded a gob of ornaments, I don't lavishly decorate, nor bake cookies now that Doug does a better job of it. Hmm! Maybe this year I'll indulge.
Though I was late, and I didn't make it to the West end of Main St.' I had a terrific time along with an unusual dinner.
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