HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-12-21, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1988.
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True life Christmas story
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I
J
T-
BY ANN MINERS
The first winter that our family
lived in Huron County’s snow belt
was a wild and unforgettable
experience, with snow drifts piled
high about the house and roads
treacherous for months. Butthat
Christmas was to become a precious
memory in later years.
Beingayoungfamily, wewere
trying to stretch the milk cheque
from our new dairy herd, just a bit
farther, to squeeze out those dollars
that it would take to provide our four
youngsters with a few happy
surprises on Christmas morning.
Although Dad had earned a bit of
extra cash by selling a load of
firewood to a friend in town, the price
of a purchased tree was out of reach.
Why not make wildlife a part of
your holiday season? National Wild
life magazine describes how to
decorate a tree in your yard
especially for wildlife.
Adorning a tree with pinecones
dipped in suet or peanut butter
makes a sumptuous Christmas feast
for both birds and animals.
Popcorn, raisins and cranberries
strung on the branches are also
treats for wildlife, and give the tree a
festive look.
The best decorations, however,
are those that come to feast -- birds
and nature’s other living ornaments.
Joyful,
jubilant, always
jolly...
enjoy the Christmas
fun and folly!
Cutting the tree
the thrill of first
Grey winter
Bu t he had heard of a farm where you
could go to cut your own.
The children were excited as we all
piled into our battered red and white
pick-up that was getting more
crowded each year as our family
grew. Down the fourth concession
we clattered and bounced, merrily
singing Jingle Bellsand Rudolph the
Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the
Snowman.
Not any old tree would do. We
wantedjustthe rightone. Nottoo
spindly. Nottooshort. We all agreed
it should reach the ceiling. First this
one was rejected, then that one.
Around that rough old farm we
wandered, pulling baby Jenny
through the drifts of snow on our old
toboggan, which we had brought to
tote our prize out to the truck.
Dad finally decided, in despera
tion, on a spruce that we had passed
over once before. The boys each took
a turn with the saw until at last, after
donating a dollar to the box on the
gate post, a tired group headed for
home.
The discarded string of coloured
lights that Daddy had resurrected
and repaired made the tired tinsel
shimmer as the children gathered
around the kitchen table to create
snow flakes for the tree with paper
and scissors.
I popped a huge pot of corn and we
spent hours trying, with varying
success, to save some of the corn
from hungry mouths for decorating
the tree.
Resting on the tip of the highest
branch, her shiny foil wings brush
ing the ceiling, the Angel seemed fo
smile over our simple Christmas that
year. She graced many more trees
for our family over the years, until
she was replaced by a pretty new
Angel. But I still have that tattered
relic with the smile on her face
tucked away in the bottom of the
hugebox offancy ornaments that
adorn our tree these days. I suppose I
keep her to remind me of those
happy family Christmases in Grey
Township.
Th e spirit of
Christmas is all around.
We appreciate your business and hope to serve
your needs in thefuture
from Management & Staff
Topnotch Feeds Ltd
BRUSSELS
Wildlife tree
a gift to birds
THE MANAGEMENT & STAFF OF
■E5
Best Wishes
for
the '
New Year
Bundles of presents, sweet aromas
of festive treats, the sight of the
glowing tree, the sparkle in their
eyes on Christmas morning...
it’s Christmas time.
May all the world be at peace.
With poor weather
please
drive
carefully
MERRY CHRISTMAS
FROM THE MANAGEMENT & STAFF OF
CALLANDER
NURSING HOME
BRUSSELS
j. l. McCutcheon
MOTORS LIMITED
YOUR CHEV-OLDS DEALER IN BRUSSELS
887-6856