Monday, December 10, 2012

A Twinkling of Lights

Fireflies, or glitter, something is sparkling in the pines.
Dancing on the branch tips that sway in the breeze.
Our lights are twinkling in the trees.

I've waited quite a while to have lights up for Christmas. Some years I have wrestled with a few strings, standing precariously on the tallest step stool, making haphazard due with my limited light-hanging skills. But Geoff found a way to make it up to me, a thousand-thousand times. We love our engineer-magician, and the clever way he turns something simple into something simply wonderful!

While Geoff installed his creation, Max and Maria found a hidden space, deep in the mock orange and pine needle beds. And even before actual sunset, Max could already detect the appearance of our twinkling lights.

It is a delicate effect. The tiniest points of light that spread out and up, illuminating the trees... it looks full of fireflies. It looks like a celestial wonderland!

In October, Max and Alex began reading the Harry Potter series to Maria. Now they are on book six! Some days, taking turns, they read nonstop for four or five hours. And Maria, lucky girl, takes it all in, attentively, eagerly. Max and Alex pause to guide her imagination through critical plot points, asking her leading questions, and it's a sight to see when she exclaims in delight over twists and shocks!

The darker the sky, the brighter our lights, and the tiny points of light shimmer and sway when any wind goes through the branches.

Walking along our dark street at night, we love the house lights the neighbors put up. The bright strings of colored lights, the cheery brightness of white lights that sparkle, the trees full of classic large bulbs, and now we too enjoy a festive sight, our own Christmas trees lit up for the night.

13 comments:

Jenny said...

Teeny pinpricks of light ~ magic!

Those boys of yours are true gems. I wonder if they know what a gift they are to little Maria.

judy in ky said...

I absolutely love tiny twinkling lights in trees. They are beautiful! How did he do that?

warren said...

That's awesome! Are they solar powered?

Geoff said...

They use rechargeable NiMH batteries. I had to build custom battery packs as the stock laser pointers dimmed substantially after about 20 minutes. The NiMH batteries last about 6 hours. It was a fun little project.

Janece said...

We drove by tonight - hoping to spy the twinkling magic... but alas, the Bird House was dark.

I love the photos - especially the first one. And Maria is indeed a lucky girl to have such incredible brothers. What Amira wouldn't give to have big brothers to read to her. :)

Janece said...

PS - per your PipPipBit... I did tiptoe back into the warmth of my bed this morning. It was quite delicious. I hope you were able to sneak a nap in as well.

Cheyenne -Millie said...

I love your little green lights... and green is my favorite color!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Magic?
It's a laser pointer.
Shhh... a magician never tells.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Today I am getting a re-boot lesson.
It's crunch time, and Geoff doesn't get
home to til 10 or 11... ;( it's not great.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

I blew it.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Our Benjamin Franklin Thunder Cat likes the green, too!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Warren, happily, Geoff handled this question...
I was going to use my go-to technical reply: "magic!"

Jennifer said...

I read this post early today, before leaving for work, and I thought all day about your beautiful, sparkly tree. Kept giving me a reason to smile, and to wish we could see it in person....