IT'S A GUIDE TO HAPPY

THE TREE

    It's embarrassing to think how hard we worked on finding the perfect tree during our first seasons together. One year it took several days, it seems scouring the state. It became a point of contention each year, so I defaulted to letting Lana make the choice.

      Now we are more easily content. Maturity? Laziness? A desire to give an ugly tree a home? Probably, but it doesn't matter.

     Just having the green and the old ornaments together again is a gift until itself.  And choosing up here in the village is pure Cambria-friendly, easy, laid back and cheery.  

     Still there is that issue of the lights and the cosmic riddle of why they don't work-but a brilliant daughter and a driven Lana tackle that. My skill comes in placing the Dickens figures on just the right branch, and putting the angel atop the scene. And pouring the egg nog!

    The garden center provided many choices of tree. Being from Oregon you can probably smell the freshness.

  We found one quickly. It needs only a little rehabilitation. 

DRIFTING INTO THE MOOD

     Then into the twinkle house where you automatically

become a kid. Wonder lurks in this season.

    It probably helps to maintain a festive spirit when we know this is the only snow we'll need to navigate-unless we want to drive a half day to ski country.  Not going to happen though.
    See you down the trail.

DECK THE HALLS

ALREADY?

I love the yule and Advent season.

Christmas is one of those times of year

that has the power to enchant.
One of my first posts spoke of the magic.
But----

This the first residential tree I've spotted.
Not sure what my disdain does nor where it goes
as I exude it passing Christmas displays at department, big box and even drug and grocery stores.  I've been tossing
that disdain at the all too early set ups since before Halloween.
My mother said it was improper to decorate or even
seriously prepare for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.
So as I continue on my journey to being a full fledged
crank, I guess I should pull down Dickens
or hum a few bars of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
let nothing ye dismay...
May I be the first to wish you
MERRY CHRISTMAS
See you down the trail.