“Tannenbaum?” Whatever. We got our Christmas tree up and decorated last weekend. I have to admit, it turned out much nicer than I thought it would.
We showed up to our usual tree lot a bit late this year, I guess, because pickings were pretty slim. Frankly, it took some real vision to select the tree we ended up with; when I pulled it off its rack, it was a bit scraggly looking and all folded up and stiff. It was covered with snow. Even so, it spoke to me. Call it sympathy. Call it a Christmas miracle. Whatever. We had it trimmed up at the stump and strapped onto the top of the car.
It’s one thirsty tree. I did a little more trimming when we got it home and then screwed it into its stand in the parlor. It’s been soaking up water pretty rapidly the last couple days, and the branches did start to drop once all the snow melted off it and it got some fluid back in in its veins. It’s never going to have that classic Christmas tree shape, but I think that’ll actually work better for us, as we’ll be able to get more presents around the stand.
It’s fun to take Ava out to the parlor in the morning and sit with her. She stares at the tree and points at all the ornaments glittering in the glow of our LED snowflake lights, looking back over her shoulder at me with an inquisitive, expectant glance and saying, “tee?” Yes, Ava, it’s a tree.