After a slow start, almost every house now has some kind of Christmas decoration. The new, but unfinished Burning Manor is one of the few that remain barren.
A number of houses have electric candles in their second-floor windows. They give off a soft, gentle glow. This practice, it seems, is a bit of a tradition in these parts.
Many houses in the Sack have two matching second-floor windows. At night, the candles give these houses almost a human look. The fake candles look like eyes.
Big Doug has a candle in each of his upper windows. He had pledged to remain without Christmas lights this year. He said it was becoming a "pain in the rear."
It looks like he has made a small compromise.
The fake candle in one of Big Doug's windows seems to have something wrong with it. Occasionally, it flickers on and off.
Sometimes it looks like Big Doug's house is winking at the rest of the Sack.
***
Just before supper on Monday night, I ventured outside to locate the newspaper.
It was, unfortunately, the morning newspaper. I was unable to find it in the morning. It was somewhere under a bush, in a planter box or under the porch.
I knew it was there somewhere. I could just feel it.
***
When it is cold or there is any kind of precipitation, the Daily Snooze will rarely find its way to the foot of the Wonders' door.
The rocker chick who delivers the Daily Snooze is very much a fair weather gal. In unfavourable weather, she'll fling the paper from behind her car door. Sometimes, her car won't even come to a complete stop.
On those days, the Daily Snooze is vaguely delivered to the Wonders' home.
***
As I waded through our shrubbery, I saw Computer Doug herding his two small children into the family car. When they were tightly affixed to their safety seats, he walked over for a brief chat.
Computer Doug, it seemed, was taking the kids over to his mother's home. His wife, Marion was still working and he needed to go Christmas shopping.
***
It is very common to see Computer Doug taking his children to be supervised somewhere else and by other people. Oscar says Computer Doug often seems both surprised and slightly annoyed, whenever he finds himself alone with them.
Of course, there is no doubt about Computer Doug's love for his children. He's just not that comfortable being the only one in charge of them.
***
After exchanging the usual pleasantries of the season, Computer Doug asked if I had watched the local evening news.
In the Sack, this is just another way of asking, "Did you see Oscar on television tonight?"
***
Oscar, of course, has been on television and in the newspaper more times than is probably good for someone.
This time he was picking up his boy, Dorian at school. The local CBC news affiliate was doing a story on some education-related matter. Once again, Oscar was "just in the right place, at the right time."
As always, Oscar gave a thoughtful and intelligent response to the reporter's query. He looked completely at ease during his brief appearance. When you have been on television as often as Oscar, this is not surprising.
***
During the interview, Oscar was wearing his serious, contemplative face. He says it's a face he reserves solely for the media.
I've practiced a number of different faces in my bathroom mirror. I have yet to find one suitable for the media. Computer Doug said I shouldn't worry about this. He doesn't think the media will tire of Oscar any time soon.
He could be right about that.
***
Of course, Oscar had warned me that he would be on television that night. He makes a point of letting me know well in advance.
Usually, he will simply call and say, "Make sure you read the Daily Snooze tomorrow." That's when I'll know he's in the spotlight again.
***
Computer Doug eventually drove off with his children.
I continued to look for the Daily Snooze. Wedged between a bush and planter box, I found the plastic bag containing the newspaper.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be an old newspaper from September. I took it inside anyway. I enjoy newspapers, even if they contain old news.
I opened the paper to a random page and glanced at it. A particular picture caught my eye. It was a picture of Oscar.
The picture was in a section entitled "You Said It." They were asking people what they thought about the price of gas.
Oscar, apparently, is dead set against the price of gas.
***
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