Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Another Santa Landing in Ocala


I was on a bike when I saw this lawn decoration. Not wanting to be like the papparrazi, I stopped a couple of doors down to take a picture.

While composing the shot, I noticed an older lady, blue hair, slightly plump, wearing a floral print dress which was covered in part by an apron, standing in front of Santa and Mrs. Claus. She drew herself up haughtily, scowled mightily, drew a deep breath, and hissed loudly at the Claus couple.

Then she turned around and when she saw me, waddled hastily to my side. 

"Well, I never!" she exclaimed.

"You never what?" I asked.

"You funnin' with me?" She asked.

"No, I'm just wondering what you're so upset about." I said.

"Well, I never!" She said again. "You look like a nice person, and I never thought a nice person would think it OK for Santa and his missus to get out of their sleigh and kiss in the middle of a yard! I mean, I never!"

"I, ah..."

"Now you listen here mister, my goodness gracious, what if'n some kids walked by and saw that? I just never, ever, in my life seen nothing like that. That ain't what Christmas is all about!"

I put my bike's kickstand down, and moved to stand in front of the lady.

"What do you think you're doing?" she said, moving back.

I reached out, grabbed her hands and pulled her close and kissed her gently on her forehead.

Then I said, "Christmas is supposed to be about love, and Santa and Mrs. Claus show everyone how much they love each other when they kiss. I'd suggest this Christmas you kiss the people you love, tell them you love them and not worry about Santa and his missus."

Stepping back, she looked up at me and said, "Well, I never!" but she was smiling just a bit and her eyes twinkled. "Well, I never!" she said again as she turned and waddled down the street to where she came from.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

18 comments:

Stefan Jansson said...

A fine Christmas tale.

Michelle said...

and I like it

RedPat said...

And a fine story it is!

Kay said...

You stick to it!

magiceye said...

Loved the tale!

Linda said...

A fine Christmas tale and post, dear Lowell. Thank you so much for sharing.

Jim said...

Very festive.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Uma bela decoração de Natal.
Um abraço e continuação de boa semana.
Andarilhar

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

The house I used to feature with these plywood displays has new owners. It is kind of sad I never met the people whose house I featured on multiple holidays.

Janis
GDP

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Well as much as I'm not sure whether to believe you or not Lowell, I wouldn't put it past you ☺ I like to think it's a true story 😀

Sharon said...

What a great Christmas story! I think I'll go kiss someone just to get into the spirit! ***mmmwah*** Consider yourself kissed!!!

Bill said...

You stick to that story and Santa will drop by for a personal visit.

Small City Scenes said...

Quite the Christmas Story and the solution was great. As for the lady perhaps she never did----which is why she has blue hair.
MB

Catalyst said...

It's a new Christmas classic! Good one, Jacob.

Gosia said...

wow lovely Santa under plam trees

William Kendall said...

Very funny!

Lois said...

That is a cute story Lowell. Thanks for the cheer this morning.

About your comment on my post yesterday regarding the Seminoles, it is truly shameful what our government did to them. I'm proud of the fact that FSU works closely with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to ensure accuracy in any depiction of their people used by the University. You can read more about this special relationship between FSU and the Seminole Tribe here: https://unicomm.fsu.edu/messages/relationship-seminole-tribe-florida/

stardust said...

Dear Lowell - Santa and Mrs. Clause are so pretty, and so is your story as the spirit of Christmas is love, giving and sharing.

Time flies, and only two weeks are left this year. So little time, so much to do. I’ll have a break in blogging and commenting for a while. Interaction with you is one of my joys especially for your kind heart and humor. Wish you and all those close to you a joyous Christmas and New Year.

Yoko

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." — Henri Cartier-Bresson