Date: Fri 12-Dec-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Christmas-lights-sidebar

Full Text:

(sidebar to OUTSIDE LIGHTS story)

A No-Fail System For Stringing Outside Lights

Locate the box marked "outside lights" that is stored in the basement or the

barn and then find at least two outdoor extension cords.

The cords are probably where you last saw them in early September, in the back

of the garage buried under a pile of hoses.

Sit down on the family room floor next to an electric outlet and plug in each

light strand, one by one.

If some of the bulbs do not light up, they are either "dead" or still warming

up. The only way to tell the difference is to wait.

After a decent amount of time has passed, you must decide, then remove and

replace the burned out ones.

Helpful Tips: If, when checking bulbs, you move from left to right along the

string, you won't miss any. Refuse to be distracted by the cat that has

decided to lie down across the middle of one strand.

Do not get up to answer the phone or you will surely lose your place because

the cat will move. Then you will have to start all over again.

Wait for good weather. It is very difficult to string outside lights while you

are wearing gloves. You don't want to be standing out in the rain, wind or

snow.

Have your tools handy. You might want to wear one of those kangaroo-pouch type

tummy bags, first putting inside a hammer, heavy-duty staples, pruning shears,

wire, string and scissors, more spare bulbs and a candy bar for quick energy.

Head outside for "the hanging." But first, tell someone where you are going so

if you don't come back inside after two hours, a search party can follow.

Have a plan.

Will you outline the architectural details of your home, such as the front

door, eaves, or garage? Will you be creating a Rockefeller Center type display

or will you highlight certain favorite outside structures, such as the rabbit

hutch, the rustic well or the mailbox?

A word of caution: Be sure you have identified the male and female ends of

your light strands. There is nothing worse than being six feet up on a rickety

painter's ladder with the spaniel barking below and your light strands

tastefully draped around the front door, only to find out that you are trying

to connect two plug ends that both have poking-out prongs.

When all is in readiness, go back into the house, say a quiet prayer and flick

the switch.

Eureka! Now you can face the shopping, the wrapping, the cleaning, the baking,

the cards and the tree, because the really important job of Hanging Your

Outside Lights is done.