Twas the Night Before Thanks Giving

Those Santa Sightings have begun in earnest! Today a gentleman selling "Streetwise" (a magazine to give people confronting homelessness a way to earn a  small living) was selling his "schtick," as well as a copy of Streetwise, to all passers-by.

Even when I do not plan on buying a Streetwise magazine, I acknowledge the vendor with a, "How ya doin'" Sometimes the greeting is more important to them than the $2.00 purchase (of which they keep $1.50)

I do the same for beggars on the street (not comparing them to these Streetwise salesmen trying to be productive.) A few of the beggars will continue pleading but most of them, most often, thank me for my question and answer in fairly intelligent ways.

Back to Santa Sightings. As I approached the Streetwise Vendor in Trader Joe's parking lot to make a contribution, he laughed a "hoot" and said, "Oh my, oh my. Santa. I got an early visit from Santa. Good thing I've been good."

I gave him a $5.00 and told him to keep the magazine as I had already read the issue. He was quite pleased and gave me a "God Bless You Santa." After a pause, he added, "I guess God already has!"

Santa Sighting

The other day I was at Petsmart picking up a new scratching post for Emma and Gigi. I stopped by the Kitty Adoption Room and felt sorry at each cage in turn. The Ginger Cat paid me the most attention but I knew from the start I would not be taking anyone home with me.

As I was going towards the check out, a woman of a certain age walking towards me shouted out, "Santa Clause. Santa Clause!" She did so with such enthusiasm that for a moment I thought perhaps I knew her. But no, she was just creating an early (September) Santa Sighting.

"Have you been a good girl?" I asked?

"Are you bringing me a present? she inquired.

I just smiled knowingly and whispered, "Merry Christmas!"

Santa Sighting at 35,000 feet

I am writing this post from my room at LaQuinta Inn, Fort Worth, Texas where I am visiting family. Family consists of sister, brother-in-law, nephew Scott and his wife Jodi and son Ben (son Jerry is at school,) niece Lauren and her husband Steven and their son Brandon, niece Jackie and her daughters Jessie and Jennie, (son J.D. is in Israel.)  

I will be here for another day before I fly on to San Pancho, Mexico for three weeks to stay with friends Jill and Lincoln. 

Knowing that I would be in Mexico, with its 88 degrees and sunny every day weather, I took an early haircut to shorten my "Santa Look." But none-the-less, I received a "Santa Sighting" on the flight from Chicago to Fort Worth.

While flying at 35,000 feet, with the seatbelt light turned off, the cabin attendant, whose name is Laura, while passing a bag of snack mix, leaned over and said, "Do you know you look a lot like Santa Claus?"

My big smiled reply was, "What do you mean 'look like?'"

She got the idea, laughed, and gave me an extra bag of snacks.

Later in the flight I showed her this photo and she announced, "I knew it!!!"

An Early Santa Sighting

I was off to do some shopping at Whole Foods which is two blocks from my condo. As I crossed Sherman Street, my path and that of a young man who was living with Downs Syndrome, met.

Without a smile, or a head nod, or even eye contact; he said out loud, "Hi Santa Claus," as he continued crossing the street.

I smiled and said aloud, hoping he would hear, "Thank You. Be good!"

A Most Unusual Santa Sighting

On the way home after dinner from Pete Miller's Steak House with my niece Colleen, I experienced the most unique "Santa Sighting" ever.

I was wearing a pair of kaki shorts and a white polo.

Crossing the street, we passed three people, two women and a man.

As they passed, the man burst into laughter which consumed his entire body as if he were dancing, his hands making circles around his face, where his beard would have been if he had had a beard.

"Santa Clause on vacation. On Vacation. Santa!" he announced almost shouting, as he continued across the street in that fluid type motion in which only a person who puts their entire body into their manner of speaking  can do with the added possibility that he was inebriated.

His laughter faded as we all continued walking in opposite directions.

"I want to see this one on your BLOG," mused Colleen.