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Pedar Bloom
I hate these and like them at the same time.
I hate these and like them at the same time.

I feel so guilty this year. We have mini Christmas candle lava lamp night lights in the house. My honey glommed them off of a friend last year and has been waiting to put them up. Now they are up.

Kitsch just doesn't say it.

I hated them the first moment I saw them. "Not in my house!"

"Okay, hon, you will only have to see them when you stop by to visit me. When ya leavin'?"

I didn't like that option. We are still in the same house together. More to the point, we are still in the same house together with those lights.

"They are kitsch!"

"No they aren't. They are cute."

"Those things have kitsch they haven't even used yet!"

"Don't be unpleasant."

"But, I hate them."

"They will grow on you."

"Do I need to see a Dr. about that?"

"Did you take the garbage out yet?" That is her way of ending the conversation and the argument. It usually works.

So, here I am with the kitsch lights. I hid them. She found them.

I loosened the bulbs. "Oh, did you see those things burned out?" She tightened the bulbs.

"They don't really go well there. Too close to the other lights."

"Thanks, honey. You are right. I'm going to move them over here where everybody who comes in can see them better."

I was not accomplishing my purpose. There was only one thing to do. She spends all day Tuesday with her mother. When she gets home, they must be gone.

Tuesday came, I crept up on the wretched little defilers, reaching out to remove them and end their invasion of my home. But, just before pulling them out, I took a moment to look at the gentle rays of colored light splashing the alcove where they now lived. It was kind of pretty. I looked on for a moment and the phone rang. Someone selling something that he didn't want to sell and that I didn't want to buy.

One thing and another entered the day until long shadows entered the living room from the deck. I returned to the alcove to get the lights. But, now they actually did seem kind of cheery. I was not prepared to go as far as cute, but cheery was definitely accurate.

But, that all aside, it was the principle of the thing. Kitsch did not have the right to dwell in my home without my permission. Cute or not. I mean cheery or not.

The thing is, they are still here. And, starting to grow on me.

Merry Christmas.

The other irritating light.
The other irritating light.