Same Old Star

This is the same old star I've been putting up for a couple of years now on my family home here in Toronto. It's the one my grandfather built, probably 40 or 50 years ago, and my mom and dad used to put on their house every year after his death until they moved out to BC.



I've told the stories in previous years of my bumbling attempts to handle the tradition - the little local rats who were stealing the bulbs to stomp on them in the street; the near-death experience slipping off the porch roof like my dad used to do; hammering my thumb blue just like my grandpa's always seemed to be.

This year I pretty much got it down to a science. While we were still carefully storing the star all year behind the house, in fine condition from being fixed up last year, we traded in all our old Christmas lights except for the one string on the star. In exchange, we got coupons for discount prices on new strings of LED lights from Home Depot that are much more environmentally sound.

I was a little concerned about getting rid of the old bulbs... I do like to hang on to things... but hey, it was for the environment. The only trouble is, the coupons were good for a limited time only, and I did not get there in time to use them. %&@$! Now I have no other lights.

Okay. Making the best of things... the Christmas star, (see above), was quickly mounted on the roof. Based on past experience, I used a pair of permanent concrete nails in the wall this time, and it it was a lot easier minus the ice... But now, the lights were not connected to the light fixture on porch via strings of bulbs. Even though I had carefully left the clips on the gutter after last year to make that part of the job easier! Anyway, fine... I decided I'd use a plain extension cord.

Except no, I couldn't... because the old-fashioned light socket adapter that we use to get electricity out of our front porch fixture, won't accept a three-pronged cord. So we bought a two-pronged cord. But no... it won't accept that, either. It needs an old fashioned two pronged cord, with those equal-sized prongs. Everything about this setup is probably illegal.

Thankfully, help was forthcoming, in avuncular fashion. I just had to drive to Ottawa to get it, after a week of the star sitting forlornly unlit on the roof. My Uncle Pete (whose dad built the star) rummaged around in his basement and found a two-pronged extension cord that had formerly belonged to my late, great-uncle Charlie.



Back from Ottawa, energized with new resolve, it only took one climb more up the old extension ladder. I flicked the switch, and the star is shining brightly once more.

I am the keeper of this same old star. It takes the energy, the will and the resourcefulness of all my ancestors and me, to add just that little bit of light to the neighbourhood.

Merry Christmas!