Oh, deer.

The lights don't work. We bought a new Christmas Tree this year. While the old one was still functional, a chore I really didn't like was stringing the lights. Lets face it, whenever you think you're done, someone suggests that the tree could use another string or two. As soon as the last string is on, a section goes out and the entire string needs to be replaced (or you spend the rest of the afternoon looking for the burnt bulb). A pre-lit tree was the answer. Of course, once we got it out of the box and started decorating we found that the top section had an intermittent fault. Sometimes it would light up, other times it wouldn't. So, yesterday we called the store and spoke to a helpful sales manager. He provide the name, number and web site of the manufacturer and said if we didn't get satisfaction he would replace it. Now, we already had about a gazillion ornaments on the tree and the thought of de-decorating was very unappealing. He suggested that we only replace the faulty section. Yes! (it works.)

This morning I woke to sleet and freezing rain. Temperatures in the low 30's and Dew Point just slightly below that. While checking my email I saw some visitors crossing the back yard: