The Bubble Lights

I used to hate it when my Dad strung the lights on the Christmas tree because it took FOREVER and he wanted it done perfectly so we would sit in the living room with the ONE  box of ornaments we were allowed to hang and watch him put up the lights and I remember thinking,

” I hate Christmas tree lights. ”

That all changed the year my Dad bought a couple of boxes of ” bubble lights ” and I was enchanted.

They looked like something that a Mad Scientist  would hang on his tree so of course I asked if we could get MORE of these lights and my Dad was so happy that I wasn’t laying face down on the floor cursing Christmas Tree lights and the horse they rode in on that he actually did go out later and by some more.

I went on line to find a picture of vintage bubble lights and discovered they have an actual history that predates the time I first saw them by over 40 years.

My Great Grand Uncle had lost his wife and two of his three children in a house fire, so my Dad’s family were overly cautious when it came to most things electrical and in the case of older bubble lights they contained methylene chloride which is converted to carbon monoxide in the body, so I can see why they wouldn’t use them.

I mean, all regular light had to do was twitch and my Dad would toss the entire string.

Nowadays I use fancy LED lights and if you don’t think I still don’t touch the bulbs to make sure they’re not hot…you’d be wrong.

Sometimes though, I think it would be nice to string some bubble lights up for old times sake.

For RDP Monday: BULB

To Mom, With Love

One Christmas my Sister told her daughters ( who I need to tell you both had colds and couldn’t hear very well because of congestion and that does figure into this story) that she wanted ‘ fleece’ stuff for Christmas.

She meant blankets and clothes etc etc.

My nieces thought she was weird- but they figured ok. My sister’s nickname is Bunny so if anyone gives her animal stuff it usually involves rabbits. They thought she wanted a change. Which is fine.

So my nieces went out and bought my sister:

Blankets with sheep designs, a sheep calander, coffee mugs shaped like sheep-  a plushie sheep dog.

My sister’s pile of gifts looked like a devotee of sheep farm collectibles  had blown up next to her tree.

She  loved her gifts because they were cute so she asked them what inspired the sheep theme  and they said, “because you asked for sheep stuff. “

That night at Christmas dinner I asked my sister since when did she like sheep so much and she told me, ” the girls thought I said sheep…I said fleece but it is what it is. “

Merry Christmas!

Word of The Day Challenge: FLEECE