27!

Last night I went to Mission Inn's Festival of Lights, in which they use an extraordinary amount of electricity and, much to the surprise and delight of Bambi and me, fireworks! It was a lot like being at Disneyland for a spectacular lights and fireworks show--especially with three thousand of Riverside's residents crowded around, necks tilted upward as we all watched the show in silent wonder. If you're suffering from Southern California Christmas Spirit Disorder (by which I mean: if you just can't get in the Christmas mood because you've been wearing shorts and flip-flops during all of November), head down to the Mission Inn in Riverside some evening soon. Enjoy the carolers. Splurge on a ride in a one horse open sleigh (or maybe just carriage) for you and your special someone. Take goofy pictures with all the fun lights behind you.