Coming home from work last night, it was sunny on one side of the highway and definitely not on the other. Madras, Oregon; December, 2010.

The Ladies Room.. Henley, Oregon; October, 2010.

Sometimes a cement wall is the perfect background. I took this one with my trusty iPhone. (Click thumbnail for more detail) Portland, Oregon; November, 2010.

Another in my occasional series of lines, light, textures, and patterns. (click the thumbnail to see the two guys) San Diego, California; October, 2010.

Joyeux Noel, everyone! Redmond, Oregon, December, 2010/

Let's throw in a snowflake or two for that, you know, white Christmas feel. The Grotto, Portland, Oregon; December, 2010.

We'll throw in a heavenly choir, too. Portland, Oregon; December, 2010.

I suppose a manger scene is a prerequisite for the celebration, too. Nearly life-sized statues work well if you're not hiring live actors. The Grotto, Portland, Oregon; December, 2010.

Ok, so for the big celebration, one needs the big star and a host of heavenly hosannahs blowing their horns making the big birth announcement. The Grotto, Portland, Oregon; December, 2010.

The dream of the 90s is alive

There's a new TV show coming on called Portlandia, filmed in Portland. The folks who made it also made this video spot for it:

The opposite of minimalism. The Grotto, Portland, Oregon; December, 2010.

More from Cowboy Christmas. Redmond, Oregon; December, 2010.

Of course, not all holiday light displays are into angels, guiding stars, hosannahs, and managers. So for all you atheist cowboys out there, we'll also be posting displays for you over the next couple of weeks. Eagle Cest resort, Redmond, Oregon; December, 2010.

A really colorful walk among the really big trees. The Grotto, Portland, Oregon; December, 2010.

Ok, so we begin this week with the countdown to the big Christian holiday. Here's my annual statement that my spiritual path is not one derived from the three that come from the Tribes of Abraham, so I don't celebrate it. However, I do enjoy the color of this festive season, if not the stress it causes those around me. And so for the next couple of weeks, the Grind will be posting a series of colorful nighttime photos that reflect what is going on right now in Western countries in general, and here in Oregon in particular. This photo (and several more to come) was taken at The Grotto, a Catholic monastery. As with all the pics here at the Grind, click on the thumbnail for more detail. Portland, Oregon; December, 2010.

The building on the right likely dates from the 1500s or earlier. Au Fin Palais is a cool little wine shop selling local vintages and the proprietor is a very nice and helpful fellow, even if he doesn't actually know much about sending products back to the US (long story there). This was taken on a very picturesque square about a block from the Yonne River. (Click on the thumbnail to get a better view of the large statue and its alcove.) Auxerre, France; September, 2009.

Downtown Denver at sunset. (Click on thumbnail for more detail). Taken from Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, Colorado; September, 2010.

I don't know what it's called, but I liked the texture and colors of it. Thought it was a cool little plant. (Click on the thumbnail for a better view) Camp Verde, Arizona; May, 2010.

Another in my occasional series of lines, light, textures and colors: Junkies getting their fix--three to a row (it's against the law to pump your own gas in this state). Damascus, Oregon; December, 2010.

Might as well start posting 'em now 'cause, you know, 'tis the season. Happy Valley, Oregon; November, 2010.

And there's really nothing so adept at adding drama to a scene as a spectacular cloud formation. (Click on the thumbnail for more detail) Cordes Island looking toward Vancouver Island, BC Canada; April, 2008.

Sometimes, of course, clouds just bring rain. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon; July, 2010.

While a heavy overcast means no shadows and drab color, the correct amount of clouds at sundown can cast a pink hue over everything. Madras, Oregon; July, 2010.