I turn now to a series that I do for my readers and not for myself: Christmas. I'll be honest: I hate this holiday. It's a difficult time of the year, and weighs heavily on me, triggering a depression each year. I'll be glad in a few days when it's all behind us.
I start with two shots taken last year between Christmas and New Years. This wreath was hanging on the fence of the Royal Canadian Mint.
One evening at Lansdowne Park, I photographed the decorations in the window of a car dealership in the retail section of the property.
This was taken on an evening earlier this month, the same dealership.
One day early in the month I went out to Westboro to run errands and this wreath hanging on a street lamp pole caught my eye.
These decorations are in an office building downtown, taken on another day.
And on another day- Pearl Harbor Day, to be exact- I was back downtown passing by the American embassy and photographed one of the wreaths along the fence.
A short walk further up the street I took a shot of the Royal Canadian Mint, with wreaths up along the fences. In all the time I've lived here I have yet to take a tour inside.
Coming back, I headed into the Rideau Centre mall, where they always decorate for the holidays.
The first wreath is the best.
ReplyDeleteSome very festive photos in there. I'm like you I"m a bit over it, it's more for the kids I think. Not long to go.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry this is a hard time for you.
ReplyDeleteMy Mum by all means struggled through this to keep us away from it and passed on a December 29th.
Yet. You´re not alone, it still was and is a hard time.
But, ohhh, I love all the decorations, the lights, the promise of fun - a bit, at least.
You did a good job here with all the Christmas photos. I don't enjoy the holiday either, and try my best to deal with it. Stay sane!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you struggle with Christmas. I used to be the same myself but as I get older I seem to be able to negotiate it better. Your photos are excellent. Thank you for the regularity and consistently interesting content of your blogposts over the year.
ReplyDelete@Italiafinlandia: it's a good one.
ReplyDelete@Amy: not much longer. Based on previous experience it lifts after Christmas.
@Iris: my depression is based on various things, but Christmas is a triggering factor. I'm managing, but some days are rough.
@Stefan: thank you.
@John: I do have some ways to work against it, and I know it'll pass soon.
Aproveito para desejar a si e à sua família um Santo Natal.
ReplyDeleteAndarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
I don't like Christmas either. Few of them as an adult were nice most there were family fights no thank you ! This year it will even be worse without Rick !
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you struggle at this time of year, but I think perhaps you are not alone. These feelings are often triggered by the long dark days and often gloomy weather. Very soon Spring will be on our horizons, and the days will become longer and brighter.
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Christmas decorations and lights. The Polar Bears are favorites.
I will be glad to see the holidays over, it is not my favorite time either.
Take care, enjoy your day!
Sorry that depression is your Christmas companion, William. We let Christmas come and go like any other time of the year so some years we barely notice it. Let me wish you Happy Winter Solstice instead of Merry you know what!
ReplyDelete...thank you William.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the winter scene with the polar bear!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these, William!
Happy Solstice. Sharing the frequent depression following Christmas...a friend recently told me she is using one of those lamps that help with Seasonal Affective Disorder, and it helps her depression.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a quick trip through the holidays. Love the wreath displays, though. :-)
ReplyDeletePretty decorations all around. Take care. This too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful winter and Christmas decorations. Keep warm and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteWe have to celebrate Christmas here in the Netherlands in a hard lockdown, that doesn't really make me happy. Exuberant decorations and lavish meals are certainly not our thing. We bring some extra greenery into the house and I 'll decorate the garden lightly. That 'll be about it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will get through this bad time well, William.
Stay well, William
ReplyDeleteI love the season and the photos, but I understand that it is difficult for some. I must say, though, that I was feeling that it was time to get out of that museum. 😀
ReplyDeleteIt seems that everyone thinks Christmas should be like a Norman Rockwell illustration and it rarely is. Many of us suffer at this time of year for many reasons. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing all the beauty today.
You found some great holiday decorations.
ReplyDelete@Francisco: thank you.
ReplyDelete@Gattina: mine springs up from family dynamics and emotional abuse on the part of my sisters, nut it seems particularly acute at this time of year.
@Rosemary: winter I love. In a few days I should improve.
@Eileen: thank you.
@David: thanks.
@Tom: you're welcome.
@Marie: it's well made.
@Barbara: I find being outdoors helps.
@DJan: it won't be much longer. Ive already been dealing with it for a month courtesy of one damned song starting it.
ReplyDelete@magiceye: I know it will.
@Nancy: thank you.
@Jan: at present we are inder tighter restrictions.
@Maywyn: I'm trying.
@anvilcloud: I knew there was no way to finish that series before the end of the year, so a break made semse.
@RedPat: you're welcome.
@Sharon: that I did.
Certainly you are not alone, William, in disliking the holiday season and feeling down. It happens to many of us and in my case it reminds me that my mother died 3 days before Christmas. But rather then be down the entire time, I decorate with some of the things she enjoyed and it cheers me to a certain point. Thank you for showing us some of the decorations in your area, and I also liked the fact that there was snow on the ground.
ReplyDeleteOh these are all very beautiful ~ Xmas can be difficult for many of us ~ sending lots of reiki healing energy hugs your way ~
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thank you, William.
ReplyDeleteSome of those displays are exceptional! Tweeted.
ReplyDeleteI started to hate Christmas this year. I don't know maybe it's because of pandemia. I can't really enjoy it anymore. Anyway... I wish you a peaceful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteKlaraS
I enjoyed seeing all the Christmas decorations.
ReplyDeleteSorry you feel that way about Christmas!!
I concentrate on the real meaning and it can't help but bring me Joy no matter what my circumstances.
Some wonderful decorations here William. It is always more festive in the northern hemisphere. I don't really celebrate christmas either and find it a rather depressing time.
ReplyDelete@Beatrice: odds are we have a white Christmas.
ReplyDelete@Carol: thank you.
@Bill: you're welcome.
@Mari: thank you.
@Klara: I can see the pandemic having its influence.
@Happyone: it is what it is.
@Gemel: it's always a hard time of year for me.
the mall is well decorated and you got photos without people.
ReplyDeleteThat mall tends to be busy in the latter half of the weekend.
DeleteWhat wonderful photos. I hope the American Embassy Did somewhat more for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAround Christmas I always think of you. I wish you all the best.
They ring the fences with wreaths, and I imagine there's a tree inside.
DeleteThe mall is looking particularly festive.
ReplyDeleteIt's got one big tree.
Deleteglorious!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI love the decorations -- always so glorious and happy. I haven't been out much to see what's here so thanks for sharing yours!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteYou know that old self-help saw about how if you smile, even if you make yourself do it, you will automatically feel happier. Maybe if you take pictures of the pretty part of Christmas it will automatically put you in the Christmas spirit. Sort of. (I am trying to talk myself into that. But my Christmas pictures aren't as good as yours, so probably that's why it isn't working too well for me. I wish you better luck. ;>) Take care. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAt least I know it'll lift soon.
DeleteIt is a difficult time of year. Your photos are wonderful:)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThank you for all of these photographs, that first wreath looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You're welcome.
DeleteI hope your mood brightens considerably very soon my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt's getting there.
Delete