Catherine Nicolai

So when I saw that there would be a model railroad display in the lobby of the movie theater downtown, I knew right away not just that I would attend, but that I would be a repeat visitor. I love little things, miniature things. The tiny Christmas villages that nestle under trees. Dollhouses with their Lilliputian furnishings. And, of course, model trains.

So when I saw that there would be a model railroad display in the lobby of the movie theater downtown, I knew right away not just that I would attend, but that I would be a repeat visitor. I love little things, miniature things. The tiny Christmas villages that nestle under trees. Dollhouses with their Lilliputian furnishings. And, of course, model trains.

So when I saw that there would be a model railroad display in the lobby of the movie theater downtown, I knew right away not just that I would attend, but that I would be a repeat visitor. I love little things, miniature things. The tiny Christmas villages that nestle under trees. Dollhouses with their Lilliputian furnishings. And, of course, model trains.

I decided to go, at least for the first time, by myself. so I could take all the time I wanted to just look. I learned a long time ago that when the days are cold and dark, you have to look for the things that can be enjoyed and lean in deliberately. So I parked at the park and came the long way through town to admire the lights strung over the street.

I decided to go, at least for the first time, by myself. so I could take all the time I wanted to just look. I learned a long time ago that when the days are cold and dark, you have to look for the things that can be enjoyed and lean in deliberately. So I parked at the park and came the long way through town to admire the lights strung over the street.

I decided to go, at least for the first time, by myself. so I could take all the time I wanted to just look. I learned a long time ago that when the days are cold and dark, you have to look for the things that can be enjoyed and lean in deliberately. So I parked at the park and came the long way through town to admire the lights strung over the street.

And by the time I arrived at the theater, my cheeks were stung with cold, and stepping into their old-fashioned lobby felt wonderfully warm. They had thick red carpets, brass fixtures, and a concession stand with a shining walnut bar that was as old as the building. The smell of popcorn washed over me, and I bought myself a box to enjoy while I browsed.

And by the time I arrived at the theater, my cheeks were stung with cold, and stepping into their old-fashioned lobby felt wonderfully warm. They had thick red carpets, brass fixtures, and a concession stand with a shining walnut bar that was as old as the building. The smell of popcorn washed over me, and I bought myself a box to enjoy while I browsed.

And by the time I arrived at the theater, my cheeks were stung with cold, and stepping into their old-fashioned lobby felt wonderfully warm. They had thick red carpets, brass fixtures, and a concession stand with a shining walnut bar that was as old as the building. The smell of popcorn washed over me, and I bought myself a box to enjoy while I browsed.

It came in the same red and white striped carton I'd been buying since my very first big screen movie. See, I was already closer to my younger self. Then, the trains. What fun. The tracks snaked through the snowy landscapes, set across a dozen platforms, spanning nearly the full width of the lobby.

It came in the same red and white striped carton I'd been buying since my very first big screen movie. See, I was already closer to my younger self. Then, the trains. What fun. The tracks snaked through the snowy landscapes, set across a dozen platforms, spanning nearly the full width of the lobby.

It came in the same red and white striped carton I'd been buying since my very first big screen movie. See, I was already closer to my younger self. Then, the trains. What fun. The tracks snaked through the snowy landscapes, set across a dozen platforms, spanning nearly the full width of the lobby.

I started at the train station, looking down with my bird's-eye view, and saw that there were four separate tracks coming in behind the depot. along platforms bustling with tiny people. The station master was there, a small arm raised and a whistle in her mouth. And I imagined the sounds I would have heard if I were there beside her. The train engines,

I started at the train station, looking down with my bird's-eye view, and saw that there were four separate tracks coming in behind the depot. along platforms bustling with tiny people. The station master was there, a small arm raised and a whistle in her mouth. And I imagined the sounds I would have heard if I were there beside her. The train engines,

I started at the train station, looking down with my bird's-eye view, and saw that there were four separate tracks coming in behind the depot. along platforms bustling with tiny people. The station master was there, a small arm raised and a whistle in her mouth. And I imagined the sounds I would have heard if I were there beside her. The train engines,

People calling hello and goodbye, be careful and welcome home. The peal of locomotive bells, rustling overcoats, shoes clapping against the platform boards. Bits of gossip as scarves were tossed around necks and gloves pulled over fingers. I hadn't even seen a train travel an inch yet, and I was already having a wonderful time.

People calling hello and goodbye, be careful and welcome home. The peal of locomotive bells, rustling overcoats, shoes clapping against the platform boards. Bits of gossip as scarves were tossed around necks and gloves pulled over fingers. I hadn't even seen a train travel an inch yet, and I was already having a wonderful time.

People calling hello and goodbye, be careful and welcome home. The peal of locomotive bells, rustling overcoats, shoes clapping against the platform boards. Bits of gossip as scarves were tossed around necks and gloves pulled over fingers. I hadn't even seen a train travel an inch yet, and I was already having a wonderful time.

Beyond the depot was a small town, and while it wasn't exactly our own little village, it was a sort of tribute to it. there was a movie theater showing Miracle on 34th Street, per their marquee. The sidewalks were heaped with snow, just like our own, and there were cars stopped at the streetlights, with fir trees tied to the roofs. I leaned down to look into the shops.

Beyond the depot was a small town, and while it wasn't exactly our own little village, it was a sort of tribute to it. there was a movie theater showing Miracle on 34th Street, per their marquee. The sidewalks were heaped with snow, just like our own, and there were cars stopped at the streetlights, with fir trees tied to the roofs. I leaned down to look into the shops.