Spotting Santa Around Hollister

The spirit of Santa Claus has been all over Hollister, from cute Santa dolls at the grocery stores to happy Santa prints in shop windows.

Santa has also showed up at various holiday parties and events throughout the month, including the annual Filipino American Community of San Benito County's Christmas dinner.

I even saw Santa, incognito, walking up and down San Benito Street in search of one of his reindeer. Did Santa find the reindeer? What do you think?

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I'll be checking out other blogs from around the world. Come join me by clicking here.

Rain Art

Last week, the rain created a pretty good size puddle at the corner of Fifth and Monterey. The puddle offered a cool reflection of a tree from across the street, as well as cool patterns from the rain. Do you see the face, by the way?

Morning Breaking Over San Juan Valley

This view is of San Juan Valley, from Mission San Juan Bautista, looking to the east towards Hollister and the Diablo range. This is just before sunrise. The morning was overcast, but that didn't take away from the glory of the breaking of the day.

Today is the Winter Solstice. That means it's the shortest day -- and the longest night -- of the year, as the Earth travels around the sun.  Earth now begins its jig on its axis that causes us, in the Northern Hemisphere, to see the sun setting later each day until the Summer Solstice. The universe is amazing!

This morning the San Juan Intertribal Council held its 18th annual Winter Solstice Sunrise Ceremony at dawn in the mission to celebrate the day of Spirit Renewal. Listening to the songs, chants, and prayers as the light worked its way into the darkened church was uplifting to my soul.

Robots and Reflections

Doesn't it look like the camera-spider robot is taking a photo of the building across the street? Which building, you ask? Maybe both.

The robot and several others are currently on display in the windows at ArtSpace, 240 Fifth Street (corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets). The robots were created by Paul Loughridge who builds them out of everyday trash. To see more of his awesome work, check out his Pinterest page.

Today, I'm linking up with Weekend Reflections. To see photos of amazing reflections caught by bloggers around the world, please click here.

Glory, Glory Hallelujah!

"Wow, oh, wow, oh wow!" Thankfully Byxbee Road was up ahead. I turned the corner and came to a stop. Who wouldn't want to take a photo if she could, right?

To see a close-up of the mist rising from those fields in San Juan Valley, click here.

Today is Skywatch Friday. Click here to check out the sky in other parts of the world.