Santa, Snowmen and Tis the season...

Sunshine and above 20-degree weather allows me to resume walking outdoors. It’s been a while. Too-o-o cold. Saturday, however, I walked down Market Street and back. Imagine my surprise when I saw a giant inflated Santa atop one of the buildings.










After that I paid close attention to how the Market Street merchants are picturing the holidays. And that’s when I decided to post another entry in this blog just two days after the last.









Which picture belongs with which store? Something in each photo is apt to give it away! For instance, the festive (and live) cat sitting below a bicycle--that shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out.

******
Click on any picture to see an enlarged version.

******









Better yet, if you’re in the area, take a walk on Market Street to see these holiday depictions and more.
















































































******
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

******




Other blogs well worth reading...
Koyote Hill - life in the country in NW PA

Dear God...

As I wandered around Corning's First Street, I noticed that several churches have red doors and I wondered why.







(Click on any picture to see an enlarged version.)




Several online sources gave the Episcopalians credit for the red door.

















St. David's Episcopal website - "(It) symbolizes the blood of Christ, which is our entry into salvation."

Immanuel Lutheran website - "(It's) symbolic of entering the church and getting to our Heavenly Father through the blood of Christ."





















Another website stated that the red door lets people know that the church's mortgage has been paid off!









And, finally, a source claimed that a church's red door indicates a "place where a soldier could not pursue an enemy. The red signified the blood of Jesus Christ who came to save all who took refuge in him."






















If you know of another explanation for the red door, please post it in a comment below.

All God's Creatures

Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. (Albert Einstein)






(Click on any photo to see an enlarged version.)



Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though.... That's the problem. (Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh)












Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to. (Alfred A. Montapert)
















I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the "lower animals" (so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of man. I find the result humiliating to me. (Mark Twain)















Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius. (Edward O. Wilson)