The snow last week stayed with us to enhance the Christmas spirit, rather than discouraging motorists from traveling. Today, a week later, the snow is lightly falling and probably will be for a few days. The temperature has warmed up from the previous +9 degrees that caused Cuckolds and Sequin lights to appear to be floating in mid-air.

The Johnsons' outside decorations were the first I noticed, brightened with a tree of multicolored lights and gaily wrapped presents on the steps. Now others, including us, have continued to light up the evenings with cheerful lights, garlands, and wreaths. (We got one warmer day this weekend, so the fingers didn't freeze while decorating.)

When it gets colder, we have found several remedies to mitigate the effects of the outside climate: bundle up, passive solar heat through windows facing south, lined drapes closed at sundown, and warm, cozy wood stoves. Then there is comfort food such as stews and chowders, hot tomato and chicken soups, grilled cheese sandwiches, freshly baked breads, pasta, cocoa, popcorn, and other favorite recipes that our mom had waiting when we returned with red noses and blue toes after skating all day.

A really good Christmas gift for family or friends would be the Ocean Point cookbook, which can be ordered at the Ocean Point Web site www.oceanpointcolonytrust .

org or contact me for assistance.

Our neighbors are sharing this season with friends and good cheer. We plan to get together with the Voses from Nobleboro for a special visit. Dick, whom we grew up with at Ocean Point, also took a trip to Alaska right after high school in the fifties, when the journey was much more rigorous, so he followed our trip with great interest. We have a "few" stories, pictures and books to share with them! Judy and Jim Boyd have settled into their year-round home here, and we spent a very pleasant evening together.

The Boothbay Region community also is very warm-hearted in this time of celebration, mindful of the needs of others. The Food Pantry provides needed food to families all year round, a continuing source of comfort and reassurance. Several Ocean Pointers give lots of their time and energy to this program. The Thrift shops in town, run by volunteer workers, maintain a high standard for well-kept clothing and merchandise at a very affordable price. Most of us in town drop in to check out the possibility of finding something we didn't know we needed.

The towns and civic organizations step in with donated holiday meals, decorated trees, and gifts provided by kindly residents who fulfill the specific requests of many deserving youngsters who are anticipating a happy Christmas morning. The enjoyment of those who participate in this seasonal gift of giving comes from the fun of shopping for the right gift for a child they will never know. It is the true spirit of the season.

We have an old-fashioned atmosphere to enjoy, without the hustle and bustle of mall shopping and loud music, and I, for one, really go for that! During these hectic moments of preparation, take time to stop to smell the gingerbread and fir balsam, listen to the children's laughter, and share your time with those you love. It's the greatest gift of all.

Contact me at: (207) 633-3669 or e-mail: waldman1@roadru n ner. com .