Hurray, it’s December 1st, only 24 more sleeps before Christmas is here. I love this month!! Although it means being besieged by rain, sleet and dark dog-walks, there is so much to look forward to. Strings of coloured lights decorating trees and homes, illuminate neighbourhoods, and break the dreariness of long winter nights making it fun to get out with poochie for evening dog-walks.  Have you noticed that people always seem to be friendlier, kinder and more thoughtful at this time of year? I wish that aspect of the holiday season would last year-round.  Check out the photo below, it’s the huge maple tree  over in English Bay (on the oceanfront across from my usual dog-walking route), that gets lit up every year for the month of December.  It’s something I really look forward to, as for me, it marks the beginning of this wonderful festive season. 

I actually needed a tri-pod for this photo as I had the flash turned off and the camera set to keep the lens open as long as possible in order to catch the effect of the lights on the water. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep the camera steady enough.Â