Ghosts of Christmas past
Found this very grainy image (remember film?) of how I spent the lead up to 2 Christmases a while back.
As part of the local community, I was “volunteered” to paint the Church’s Nativity scene figures (2/3 life size) that featured on the Church lawn. I was presented with blank plywood cut out figures, and told to “slap on the paint”. Many days of painting during a hot Perth December resulted in figures that appeared suitably holy, hairy or hooved. As a contemporary touch I was liberal with holographic glitter as well.
It was amazingly dazzling lit up at night, or when the sun hit it. Children and parents had their photos taken standing within the scene. It was a good feeling to see joy brought to others.
But, as with all things that are open to the public, a nasty element in the community felt it necessary to destroy instead of enjoy. Each night pieces were stolen, broken, or thrown onto the road or nearby house gardens. The diminishing scene was cobbled back together each morning. Most had their heads broken off, or if too badly damaged, were thrown away. On Christmas Eve, Mary was destroyed and the Baby Jesus was hurled onto the double story roof of the Church.
The next year I did it all again. Same result. Only this time the “element” had a getaway car and crowbars. They were a lot more well prepared for destruction. One brave resident chased them off, got the number plate, but the police said it’s a “He said, she said” situation. A “court summons if you want to take it further”. Who wants that at Christmas?
Didn’t paint another one.
On a brighter note, Squeaky (bucket head) is doing fine. She only needs the bucket when she has the eyeball cream treatment. Thanks for all your well wishes. Here’s a (crass) photo of Squeaky during happier times (for a dog!)
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Thanks for the comments on the frosty photos. Rod will be pleased.
It may snow more today. If it does , I’m going to try and take some pics.
It’s soooooooooo cold here!
That was a real bummer about those painted figures. People can be so cruel, and brainless. No wonder you din’t paint them again!
And…delightful image of the doggy! :-))
You did a great job of the nativity scene. It must have beenheart breaing to see it destroyed every day.. Maybe you should have put in an electric charge.
The dog shot is hilarious. I’m glad humans don’t do that at least not in public.
Hard to figure…destroying for the sake of it…can picture the scene in the night with the glitter and the enjoyment of the children…and then the destroyers moving in…darkness a cloak …the despondency in the morning of the ill will towards the effort and joy.
Christmas means different things to different people…I can imagine the powerful feelings of disappointment in the creating of beauty and then the senseless destruction and theft.
Did you know that dogs had a huge party and a raid happened and with good clean parties the dogs left their bums at the door and in the confusion of the raid grabbed the wrong backsides on their way out so dogs are continually trying to locate their correct bum and are always checking…Do you have my bum?? huh huh…..so when you see the sniff sniff, do not think crass, remember they are only trying to locate what is theirs.
That’s a shame about the Christmas figures, always some idiots out there. At least they were enjoyed for a while.
Dogs and bums are always funny. I’ve head that “lost bum” theory before Lizzie! Great theory, but it does seem like no dog has ever located its rightful bum after all this time. Sad……
What a great job you did Cindy….
It always takes one brainless sod to wreck it for those who get enjoyment out of seeing all things Christmassy…..
I know what I`d like to do with them but somehow I think it`s illegal…
I like the thought of electrifying it all….They wouldn`t be back in a hurry….lol
Dogs….They do some pretty weird stuff…lol
You guys always give me a giggle! Thanks for the thoughts.
Lizzie, that’s a cracker of a theory - I reckon me & Kylie Minogue must have swapped bums - I want it back!