We live near a fire station, so the sounds of the trucks bellowing out their sirens is nothing new. If we are in our room, you can see the red lights flash through the translucent curtains because our apartment is close to the road and front gate. Tonight they came to our apartment complex.
I went to the window and saw an ambulance followed by a fire truck, but they did not come for an emergency. The ladder was decorated with 50s style Christmas lights and in the bucket at the end of the ladder was Santa, or rather a fire fighter in a Santa costume! And over the truck speaker they were playing holiday music interspersed with “Santa” belting out seasons greetings.
It was kinda cool. I know it brought a smile to my face.
December 18th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
How fun! You didn’t get pictures, did you? Dean, did it remind you of riding on the fire truck in a parade in Albuquerque?
That’s a much nicer association with emergency lights than our friends Clint and Judy have. They are a couple in their 80s who go to my UU church, who moved a year ago into a really nice, upscale senior apartment facility because Judy’s almost blind with macular degeneration, and Clint is beginning to misplace a few marbles on occasion. We drove them over to Round Top Saturday for a concert, and on the drive home, they told us their only complaint about the place they live is the ambulance’s almost daily visit. Even though they turn off the siren 2 blocks away, you can’t miss the lights and commotion. It’s sort of like a lottery as to who it will be the next day, being hauled away to the hospital, a “real” nursing home, or even the funeral home. I guess that kind of visitation would wear on you after a while.
We should all rejoice in our health and mobility!!!
December 19th, 2006 at 10:31 am
So here was the fire department, using public funds to advocate a Christian holiday to the exclusion of other religions. Where’s the rabbi on the back of the fire truck lighting candles, or whatever?
I’m mostly joking.
December 19th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Dewd, I dig where you’re coming from. It could be argued that the Santa symbol is so secularized that it’s lost all its religious connotations. But would it feel that way to a Jewish person? A Hindu or a Muslim? They’d be safer to stick with Frosty the Snowman.
December 28th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
Happy, Happy New Year to both of you. May 2007 bring you the job you want Kaston and success in the gaming world Dean.
All the health, happiness and fun you can both hold.