

The Man Who Invented Outdoor Christmas Lights
I don’t know it yet, but this Christmas will be my most memorable. It starts in December, the day before the first snowfall of the year. My dad, doing his best to keep busy, idle hands, and all that brings me into what feels like a very adult plan. “Warn,” he says, holding my coat, hat, and mittens, “Turn off the TV. I need your help.” I happily comply, despite the fact I’m watching Bewitched and it’s a Serena episode. I follow him to the front yard, where a ladder, extensio