Tis the season

The city has been transformed. Every store front is adorned with Christmas trees, holiday lights, boughs of holly and humongous ornaments. Every bar, restaurant, movie theater, condo building and tree along the street is covered in holiday cheer. I've never seen anything like it.

In each planter along Michigan Avenue sits a perfect glass ball next to a whimsical tree covered in white lights. I'm sure that if this set up was in Seattle, a bum would quite possible electrocute himself by urinating on the extension cords and would try to sell the blown glass ball on a nearby corner. Also in these planters are white boards on stands with a "Happy Holidays and Happy New Year" scribbled in cursive black dry erase marker. EXTRAORDINARY that nobody should come by and change it to "F*$% all you commercial sinners!" or something offensive followed by a "JESUS LIVES" to really stress the true meaning of Christmas. Day by day I pass the planters and they remain the same. The glass balls are unremoved. The Christmas trees are lightly dusted with snow and sparkling white lights. The dry erase cursive still reads a pleasant and cheerful message. How can this be?

I have seen movies of New York City sidewalks where it looks like a moving river of people packed in so tightly it stresses me out. Michigan Avenue aka "The Magnificent Mile" is no different. Women in their fur coats and hats shuffle along the sidewalks carrying their Saks and Neimans bags, bumping into everyone as though they have a special right to take up more space. RED BAGS are everywhere as the enormous American Girl doll store is next to the Macy's - both big red bags. Then you pass the teenagers that are no doubt still shopping for themselves as they schlep their yellow Forever 21 bags alongside their friends.

Chicago is lovely - flipping freezing - but lovely. The spirit, the pride, the gorgeous snow and the perfect fur coats have made this a truly magical holiday season.