Catherine Nicolai

He squatted down beside me and whispered, It's mistletoe. I'm pretty sure these are bay leaves from the spice drawer. Hmm. They may still work, though. Probably they do. Model trains and make-believe. There is something about this season, and the month of December in particular, in which becoming a kid again, slipping into that easily delighted state, is more effortless and welcome

than at any other time of the year. Even the bahumbugliest among us will, at some point, look up at a streetlight and watch the halo of snowflakes circling around it, or see a lit tree through a frosted window, or hear a carol plunked out on a piano in someone's front room, and feel a shiver of excitement and warmth, just like they felt when they were young. My own bah humbug quotient

than at any other time of the year. Even the bahumbugliest among us will, at some point, look up at a streetlight and watch the halo of snowflakes circling around it, or see a lit tree through a frosted window, or hear a carol plunked out on a piano in someone's front room, and feel a shiver of excitement and warmth, just like they felt when they were young. My own bah humbug quotient

than at any other time of the year. Even the bahumbugliest among us will, at some point, look up at a streetlight and watch the halo of snowflakes circling around it, or see a lit tree through a frosted window, or hear a carol plunked out on a piano in someone's front room, and feel a shiver of excitement and warmth, just like they felt when they were young. My own bah humbug quotient

being naturally quite low to begin with, I found myself grinning at every shop window display, savoring each gingerbread cookie bought from the bakery, and taking deep breaths as I passed the Christmas tree lot. to drink up the scents of fresh sap and pine.

being naturally quite low to begin with, I found myself grinning at every shop window display, savoring each gingerbread cookie bought from the bakery, and taking deep breaths as I passed the Christmas tree lot. to drink up the scents of fresh sap and pine.

being naturally quite low to begin with, I found myself grinning at every shop window display, savoring each gingerbread cookie bought from the bakery, and taking deep breaths as I passed the Christmas tree lot. to drink up the scents of fresh sap and pine.

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 just to look. I'd learned a long time ago that when the days are cold and dark, You have to look for the things that can be enjoyed in them 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 just to look. I'd learned a long time ago that when the days are cold and dark, You have to look for the things that can be enjoyed in them 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 just to look. I'd learned a long time ago that when the days are cold and dark, You have to look for the things that can be enjoyed in them 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'd arrived at the theater, my cheeks were stung with cold. And stepping into their old-fashioned lobby felt wonderfully warm. They had thick 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'd arrived at the theater, my cheeks were stung with cold. And stepping into their old-fashioned lobby felt wonderfully warm. They had thick 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'd arrived at the theater, my cheeks were stung with cold. And stepping into their old-fashioned lobby felt wonderfully warm. They had thick 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.

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 snowy landscapes, set across a dozen platforms, spanning nearly the full width of the theater lobby. I started at the train station, looking down with my bird's eye view,

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 snowy landscapes, set across a dozen platforms, spanning nearly the full width of the theater lobby. I started at the train station, looking down with my bird's eye view,

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 snowy landscapes, set across a dozen platforms, spanning nearly the full width of the theater 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. People calling hello and goodbye. Be careful and welcome home. The peal of locomotive bells.