Smithers-Greene

Happy Chanukah - 7th Night, originally uploaded by danielgreene.

I find it challenging to do anything "religiously" (i.e. "consistently," pun intended), and remembering to take a photo of the chanukiah each night of Chanukah this year was no exception. It’s enough just to remember to light the candles (or, in this case, turn the light bulbs) each night at sundown, much less remember to take a photo of it after dark. So, forgive me for only offering the first and second nights, and the seventh (and if I remember tonight) the eighth nights.

I decided to take this one with my better camera, and I went for a different angle this time because I liked the way the lights were reflected not once but twice in the dual-pane window.

On another note, I have a comment to make about holiday wishes as this time of year. Most people say, "Merry Christmas," even in the middle of Chanukah. The few times I’ve tried saying, "Thank you! And a Happy Chanukah to you!" people have said, "Oh yes! And a happy Kwanzaa and all that." If people want to wish me a Merry Christmas, why shouldn’t I wish them a Happy Chanukah? I find it a bit insulting when people seem to compare my religious holiday (that predates Christmas) with one that was invented in 1966. I even find it a bit amusing and awkward when people wish me a "Happy Holiday" in the middle of Chanukah, and I see the looks on their faces when I say, "Thanks! I’m having one."

So, don’t be afraid to say Merry Christmas, but try being open to "Happy Chanukah" without throwing Kwanzaa into the mix to show how tired you are of being open to "diversity."

We’re not afraid to say it: Happy Chanukah!, originally uploaded by danielgreene.

Our home’s chanukiah (the proper term for a Chanukah menorah) on the first night of Chanukah. It’s displayed prominently in the front kitchen window, facing the street.

The title of this photo is a reference to some Christian people’s response to secularism, in particular, a BBQ restaurant sign in Nashville, TN I photographed that said, "We’re not afraid to say it: Merry Christmas!"

By the way, those are multicolored LED Christmas lights reflecting off the chrome of the chanukiah. We are an "interfaith" couple; besides, I grew up celebrating Christmas in a secular or, let’s be honest about it, pagan way. What’s all the fuss about anyway, folks? Don’t know know why Christmas, Chanukah, and Ramadan are all around the same time? They are religious overlays to a pagan foundation of celebrating the winter solstice! If you ask me, we’re all just trying to cheer ourselves up by lighting candles, stringing lights, and giving gifts at this, the darkest and coldest time of the year.

Andy and Me in Tortilla Flat Saloon, originally uploaded by danielgreene.

At close range, it’s hard to get more than one face in focus using the 50mm f/1.8 lens. Oh well! I may be blurry, but it’s the only photo we have of us together that day. Thanks to our waitress for taking it.