This is the time of year when the holiday lights attempt to drive out the gray of our winters.

At least for a while, they succeed.

There are lights going up all over town with even some suggestions from some corners of the internet in our neighborhood that even more should go up.

I am not sure a friend of mine who resists light pollution is in favor, but one can’t resist the temptation to join in the spirit of the season.

In spite of my “bah humbug” whining, I enjoy the incredible display put up by Bob and Sienna Sowatsky’s son. He is an electrical engineer and takes the time to travel across the water to put up a dramatic array of lights visible throughout the neighborhood, particularly to BJ and me since we are directly across the street. I am considering a huge mirror in my front yard so they can enjoy the lights also!

The Yacht Club Wreck Room had a decorating party last week. Jim Brannaman and I sat by and offered encouragement while we sipped our wine and enjoyed the appetizers brought in by the decorators. Nice work if you can get it.

Of course, the Bay Club, the Beach Club, the Village Center, the median on Paradise Road and many of our homes are getting the holiday treatment. I might even get our lights up soon. I wouldn’t want to end up being the Grinch of Port Ludlow.

I did put up a wreath from the Port Townsend Rotary Club, which apparently sold out for the first time in 20 years or so.

The season is not only celebrated by the lights but also by the parties. We have plans to try to attend parties at the Old Alcohol Plant, the Bay Club, the Port Townsend Winery, Sirens and Pedros Fiesta Jalisco restaurant. That’s what you get for volunteering or working part-time or just asking to be included.

None of those parties were last Saturday’s “Change of Watch” dinner and dance to celebrate the conclusion of the year for Neal McQuarrie as Commodore of the yacht club and welcome Billie Land as the new Commodore. I enjoyed serving as one of several bartenders with Ramsey Smith.

It would seem appropriate for this season to also have some snow. But, alas, the weather is mostly moderate so far, thereby relieving us of the need for snow shovels and blowers.

BJ actually played pickleball twice last week since it was so nice. She noted that, on Thursday, she played with three other women, and the four of them represented four decades being in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Impressive.

Finally, it is time to get all those presents bought and organized if you didn’t already do it on Black Friday or Cyber Monday or some other day. Consequently, I remind you of some advice from Thoreau, “The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week!

NedLuce@sbcglobal.net