Been a bit remiss about posting, but there’s been a lot going on. In addition to the usual Christmas rush of shopping and social events, my mother-in-law has been in the hospital this week, so there’s been precious little time to write.

We did get our Christmas tree up last week. The Pacific Northwest, while lacking the snow which adorns much of the country this season, is rich in evergreens, thanks to our warm, wet winter climate. We cut–as our annual tradition–a fresh Noble fir, about 8 feet tall. The Noble is a magnificent tree–firm branches and sturdy needles which are very resistant to dropping (last year we left the tree up for nearly 8 weeks, and had but a dustpan or two of needles on the floor). The branches are typically open, allowing lots of space for decorations, and the needles not too sharp. The smell of a fresh tree is extraordinary.

My wife finds ways to put more ornaments on the tree than is humanly possible–many of them Christopher Radko blown glass which she has been collecting for years. My role is to be the lumberjack, cart the beast into the house, string the lights, and place a few ornaments high on the tree where my height is useful–then rapidly move out of the way while the artist takes over. The lumberjack then reclines to observe the masterpiece take shape while drinking egg nog–not a bad gig, actually.

Anyway, I hope to get a post or two up the next few weeks, as time permits.

My best to all my readers, enjoy your Christmas and holiday time, and God bless.