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Janice at Salt City Verse has the hosting duties today. She's reflecting on the Christmas holiday and shares a haiku.
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I was recently asked about how I decorate for the holidays. I have sections: a tabletop dedicated to two trees Mom made, a snowman table that stays up through January, the Nativity from my husband's childhood, and our little table top Christmas tree.
I put decorations up starting something in November as I feel moved. During childhood, though, it was different. We always had a real Christmas tree. However, my brother and I never saw the tree until Christmas morning. It was a gift from Santa along with the presents. Fully decorated, complete with tinsel. Shimmering and beautiful and magical. I never understood how Santa carried the presents and the trees. Fast forward to 1963, we'd moved to Simi Valley, a place where the Santa Ana winds roared a lot. The trees would be scrawny and in 1963, our tree brought unexcited visitors...flies . Yes, it hatched flies. And that was the end of real trees. The next year, 1964, began the tradition of the tree up early with a bright shiny and ALL new baubles adorning the branches. My parents threw away ALL the antique ornaments that magically appeared on Christmas Day. The only survivor of the family ornaments is the tree topper that is on my tree, Fragile and magical and a memory of childhood. Last Call for New Year Poetry Postcards![]()
It's 16 days until the new year! And that means time to start thinking of sending New Year Post Cards! Our little group is at 16 and we'd love for you to join us! I will be sending out the groups by December 22, 2023.
Send five, send ten or send to all? In Japan, it’s called Nengajo, a Japanese custom of ushering in the new year.How It Works:
The Party is Here Next Week? Do You Have a Childhood of Winter or the Holidays to Share?12/15/2023 08:35:43 am
Jone, the tree topper is lovely and the sentiment so personal - such a memory. I went through 4 tree topper so far for my new tree. I found one that I liked and fits but clustered my toppers from the past around the new one. A new memory finds its way to Christmas. 12/15/2023 09:19:32 am
Sad that they threw away all those ornaments, but glad you still have the topper, Jone. I remember others who had their tree brought by Santa, too. Your parents' loving gift, hard work that Eve, I imagine! Merry Christmas! 12/15/2023 12:10:45 pm
Oh, dear. Flies. Ick. I love real trees, but I would hate not having it until Christmas Day. Even though ours is artificial (adventurous cats put an end to our real trees long ago), the tree and its lights and decorations give me so much quiet joy from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. (Then I'm ready to be done with it!) Enjoy your beautiful tree topper! 12/15/2023 09:17:47 pm
It must break your heart that all the old ornaments got tossed! And it gives the topper even more meaning. Thank you for the NY postcard reminder! 12/16/2023 05:27:14 am
Jone, I feel your pain! A few years ago, we had a tree that hatched millions of spider mites. On Christmas morning when we went to start handing out presents, we noticed that some presents were completely black - covered with spider mites. I can't tell you how fast that tree went flying out of the house! It is so sad that you lost all of your ornaments due to pests. I am glad that you were able to hold on to the beautiful tree topper!
Rose Cappelli
12/16/2023 11:22:25 am
Ouch! I would not like pests in my tree! Santa always brought the tree in my husband's family, also. Just one more mystery, I guess. 12/16/2023 11:35:18 am
So many childhood memories around a tree. I don't love decorating the tree as an adult. It's a lot of work. But I love the way it makes my living room look with lights. :) 12/18/2023 03:17:10 pm
Thanks, Jone! I know I replied to you privately but thought it might make it easier to have me fill out the form. As I said, the tree topped is lovely and the haiku matches it well. I'll be writing a post about some holiday memories this week - you've all inspired me!
Gail Aldous
12/21/2023 07:00:02 am
Jone, thank you for sharing your childhood Christmas memories. Having a real tree all decorated and magically appearing on Christmas morning sounds wonderful! Your childhood tree topper is a beautiful keepsake and I love your haiku about it. When my sister and I were young we had a silver fake tree. As we grew older, we begged for a real tree. Our mother went and bought a green fake tree. It wasn't real, but at least it was green. I love your precious pic of your brother and you. Have a Merry Christmas. Comments are closed.
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AuthorAll photos and poems in these blog posts are copyrighted to Jone Rush MacCulloch 2006- Present. Please do not copy, reprint or reproduce without written permission from me. Categories
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