It hardly seems like winter with the squirrel out there munching on the buds of the pear tree and the furnace not kicking in because it’s so warm. Thus, I am staring at the Christmas tree and tempted to take it down on this fine, balmy day.
When my mom was still around, it was impossible for her to bring the artificial tree up from the basement and stand on a ladder to decorate it. My brother and his wife often did that. However, as soon as Christmas dinner was finished and the festivities over, we swiftly disassembled that tree for her, making a game of it.
We would form a “bucket brigade” with one of us throwing the ornaments to a kid to put in the bin. It was efficient and fun, and nary an ornament suffered. It is quite tempting to begin that process as I bask in the warmth of a December day, dreading the continuation of watering trees. There is no bucket brigade here to help me – which might make things go faster?
Alas, I’ll continue the Christmas season and await the Kings arrival before I dismantle things. Maybe by then we’ll have some moisture from Mother Nature?
