Autumn

Autumn

Sunday, January 1, 2012

The Aftermath

The Christmas tree sits sadly outside. Most of the ornaments are packed; bits and pieces are scattered here and there around the house, waiting. This 'taking down and putting away' process takes us several hours.

As items are loaded and the containers are locked or taped, I heft and carry them out to the garage where I stack them. Later I'll begin the hard part - the hard hump up and into the attic. Not sure how many years I have left in me for this kind of work.

What was the old man's name, oh, Scott Nearing, the fella that homesteaded up in New England. I always admired the old fellas work ethnic, his wife Helen's too. He busted butt until the day he decided to say the hell with it and stretched out and died at the age of one hundred. Hated his politics, but that's neither here nor there.

Not sure I have it in me. We'll see.

Rambling here - anyway, just wanted to let you know we're hard at it, this first day of 2012. Little Bit has been a great help. She's only become upset with Papa once. I'd grabbed the vacuum cleaner without her permission. I stood corrected, she then gave me a hug and told me in no uncertain words never to touch her gear again...said, 'yes dear.'

 Have a good day, and until later.

Stephen

7 comments:

  1. Wife & youngest daughter will be packing up the decorations later today; shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. Everything lives in the garage, so just a few trips down the stairs & it's all done. We've gone to "decoration lite" status, the last couple of years, and no one seems to mind.

    Take it easy on that "up to the attic" stuff - my knees wouldn't like it, either.

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  2. Rev. Paul, wish I had a basement again. It would be so much easier than climbing a ladder. Thanks.

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  3. Since I am a bit non-traditional in the Christmas decoration department I avoid that job like the plague. This time of year I hafta grab every window of opportunity I get to bring in more wood so heavy decorations are right out. Speaking of not sure how much longer however, my father who has been my constant wood cutting companion since my birth is obviously slowing way down this year. I been trying to limit him to tractor driving and advice with some light loading when he feels upto it. When he can no longer go with me I will have to switch tactics dramatically.

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  4. Only thing left up is the tree here. Bringing it down tomorrow...our city has a program to recycle them and get as much free mulch from them as you can carry away. Told my hubs to fill the trailer! I am listening to a lively game of dominoes at my dining table as I type this, my folks are here and my hubby and dad are a wee bit competitive! More coffee sounds very good! Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  5. PioneerPreppy, I understand. Time, we take it for granted, yet it is always nipping at our heels. Thanks.

    True Texan, our city has the same program. I haven't a clue as to where they keep this 'free' mulch. Seems to be a state secret. Coffee is cold now, so I'm sipping an Irish Cream. Happy New Year.

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  6. My Grandma got to the point were she had a small tree 2 or 3 footer (fake) she took down Christmas Day or even left it up until she got back from 3 months in Florida. she left 12/26 returned 3/31.

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  7. Rob, I've noticed many of the elderly turn to small fake trees, which I understand when you think of not only the cost, but the physical toll it can take on them to install a large live tree. Even though I'm a large, and still I believe, strong man, fresh live trees are heavy and I grunt when I carry one by myself. Thanks, my friend.

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