Trying not to sound too much like our old columnist Andy Rooney, who began several of his broadcasts with a question ... but, did you ever have one of those nights where you can’t escape a half sleep, half awake dream?

I had one this week and it lasted for about four hours. The theme of the dream included a walk around my old neighborhood from my childhood home on Gilead Street. Somehow, somewhere and early on my brother, Glenn, joined up with me. We kept walking, and walking, and walking, and talked about who lived where back when we were growing up. We went up School Street, Eastern Avenue, Townsend Avenue, Union Street, Atlantic Avenue, West Street, Park Street, Kenney Field Drive, Oak Street, Commercial Street, etc. In my dream state, I really enjoyed the walk-and-talk, but when I was awake, I kept saying to myself that I have to stop, get some sleep – I have to work in the morning! About 2 a.m., I finally let go of the dream and went to sleep. When I awoke about 5:30 a.m., I was exhausted and realized that I had never experienced anything like that before … and don’t want to again. I’d rather do the walk in daylight!

One thing I am glad to have experienced this week was writing about my former schoolmate, Laurie Reed, and the discovery of her being a 1,000-point scorer during her basketball career. Laurie was a fun person to be around and she took her friendships and sports seriously. Like others, I am sure, we wish we could give her a hug for accomplishing the milestone. We just hope she is resting in peace after dying so young.

The holiday highlights just keep on coming. Weather didn’t stop the Boothbay Lights’ Lighted Boat Parade (thank you Mike Leonard for the photos) and Mark Gimbel and friends (thank you all, too) have erected a 20-foot lobster buoy tree on Pier One in front of the Windjammer Emporium. Gotta love the Christmas spirit around here!

Stay safe.