HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-12-11, Page 47O
Page 16
Regional Value Spotter, December 11, 1985
The Perfect Christmas Tree
By Linda Freeman
he tradition began one
long ago Christmas
when the children were
young. Our,
down -the -road neighbor
invited us to cut out tree
from his back wood lot, and
through the years, although we
have given thoughtful
consideration to alternative
methods of Christmas tree
selection, we always seem to
choose to make our expedition
into a field or forest in quest of
the perfect tree.
The magic of a new snow
usually twinkles lightly in the
crisp winter air. We are bundled
from head to toe in. home -knit
mittens and caps, leggings and
fur -lined boots.
The children run and squeal
among the trees, releasing some
of their putt -up Christmas spirit
while they arch for "our"
tree. Dad, with the axe slung
over his shoulder, and 1, with
the youngest stung over mine,
trudge along behind. We all sing
a chorus or two of "0,
Christmas Tree" and soon
gather 'round what looks like a
good prospect.
Kristy thinks this one is just
right.
Jim thinks it is too short and
squatty.
Kenny has found one — but
alas, it has a bad side.
"What's wrong with this
one?" Dad wants to know.
"Oh, Dad," they cry. "It's
yucky!"
"I knew it," he grumbles
using his best Eeyore imitation.
"It's too close to the car."
The children giggle and rush
off in several directions to
resume the hunt. Our breath
hangs before us in foggy puffs.
Soon the chill begins to
penetrate even our heavy
clothing and once our fingers
and toes begin to tingle in
earnest, we readily agree that we
have indeed found the tree.
"You're sure this is it?" Dad
asks.
"We're sure. This one is
perfect. Come on, Dad."
Now we are jumping up and
down to keep.warm and in
unison we shout "Timber..." as
Dad takes the final whack.
There is an uneasy moment
when the living thing lies fallen,
but it soon passes as the
enchantment of the Christmas
tree overtakes us. We shoulder
our prize and head for the car.
We arrive at home to discover
we've been overly generous in
our estimate. The tree is much
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REDEFINES..
THE WORD NEW.
TEST DRIVE 1986 MAZDA.
Introducing
a totally new
car for 1986 -
Mazda 323.
Fuel -injected.
power comes
to the 1986
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The new
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• Mazdas rotary engine licensed by NSU -WANKEL.
OIton's 580 Huron St. 271-7520
too large, even for the IQ -foot
ceiling and bay window of our
turn -off -the -century fambpuse. It
has a definite bare spot about
halfway up and sticks out at a
rakish,langle near the bottom.
Dad mu"st cut off a goodly chunk
and do some selective pruning.
The same thing happens every
year.
While I fix hot chocolate, the
children put Christmas records
on the stereo. Dad gets the angel
and the first string of lights in
place before he takes the ladder
away. We reminisce as we
unwrap each bulb and ornament.
We counsel the younger ones to
hang the tinsel, not throw it.
And when at last the final
bauble has been hung, we stand
back, wax philosophical and
proclaim that this tree is without
a doubt the most perfect perfect
tree we've ever had. We all
agree.
That was then.But this year is
different, Our house no longer
resounds with the shouts of
young children.
Dad and i have weighed the
pros and cons more seriously
this year. It really would be
much easier to go to a lot and
purchase a feady-cut tree, or (fie
upon us) we could buy a
collapsible imitation tree. Many
of our friends have done so, and
nowadays they look so natural it
is difficult to tell them from^the
real thing. We could store it in
the attic, ready at a moment's
notice for use next year.
No more frost-bitten
excursions into the wintry eve.
No more hacking and sawing
and lugging to the car. No more
running out into the night to get
one more string of lights because
this tree is bigger than all the
rest.
But once established, it is
difficult to tell whether we honor
traditions willingly or if
traditions demand our obeisance,
because — after discussing the
merits of twine -tied lot trees, the
advantages of man-made trees
and the downright good sense of
staying warm and cozy at
Christmas tree selection time —
we have just returned from a
tryst into the forest.
We have wiped the ends of
our noses, put the axe away,
rubbed the feeling back into our
fingers and built a fire in the
fireplace. We have brought this
year's choice into the house.
We have stood it in the corner
-- only to discover that even
without the children to help us,
the tree we selected is a little too
tall, and its branches are
relaxing in the warmth of the
hearth to reveal a gaping hole
which we shall have to turn
against the wall.
Our eyes meet and we smile,
knowing that once again, after a
long drive into the country, a
chilling tramp through
snow-covered woods and s
of diligent searching, we
managed to honor the the j s of
tradition, and for yet another
year have succeeded in
finding the perfect tree. •
Nearly half ofthe deaths of
people age 16-25 years are due
to motor vehicle crashes. The
Canada Safety Council
reminds young Canadians
that traffic crashes are a
preventable waste of life,
health and money. Please
drive defensively.
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