by Mary Jo
I have an adorable picture of myself when I was three or four sitting on Santa’s lap. (All kids that age are adorable, it’s a law of nature.) Unfortunately, since I have to finish a book by the end of the weekend, I haven’t the time to figure out my recalcitrant scanner, so I can’t scan the picture. Maybe next year.
But I can talk about bringing in the tree. I grew up in the snow country of Western New York, where green Christmases were unheard of and I thought it normal that snow drifts were routinely above my head.
The Great Tree Hunt
We lived on a 70+ acre farm, with the back section woods, including some 3000 Scotch pines that my father got from the extension service and planted back there. 
(He had a degree in forestry and liked trees.)
So come December, he’d hitch the tractor to the wagon (think of the buckboards in old TV Westerns and you wouldn’t be far off) and we’d go bouncing over snow hills to pick a Christmas tree. Despite all those long-needled Scotch pines, we wanted a short needled spruce, and we had those, too.
A suitable tree would be chosen (my father’s vote was the deciding one), and he’d chop down the tree, put it on the wagon, and back to the house where with luck, my mother would have hot chocolate waiting. She wisely avoided the expedition to the back 40. <G>
Interestingly, when I talked to my older sister last night to confirm details, she said I didn’t much like these expeditions because it was Cold! And Wet! And Uncomfortable! Apparently I am my mother’s daughter, though I have no memory of disliking the process. But I do remember the tree trips.
Putting up the Tree
Even more I remember erecting the tree with an old tobacco can as a base. The physics of this were not geared for stability, so guy wires were improvised of heavy twine and fastened to doorknobs and hinges in the corner of the living room.
Then the decorating. My sister, who has always had more class than I, would careful drape each strand of tinsel in an exact place. Then, and now, I have always believed that good taste can be overdone, especially at Christmas. <G> I liked lots of tinsel, glittering madly. (This was the old fashion lead foil tinsel, by the way. The kind that breaks if you look at it cross-eyed.)
Cats in Trees
In an amazing bit of synchronicity with Joanna’s post yesterday about feline box sitting, it is also true that cats have a great affinity for trees. Especially indoor trees. With branches well spaced for climbing.
More than once, I remember a tree crashing over despite the guy wires. Smashing ornaments, swearing parents, and one or more cats hightailing it to the high timber, wearing their best “Who, me?” expressions. Ah, those were the days…!
Many things have changed over the years, but I am here to tell you that cats still like to climb Christmas trees. No, the cat above is not from my childhood, but entirely current. He is Reggie the Rascal, whom I have twice this year removed from the middle branches of the tree when he’s decided this isn’t a good idea, but he doesn’t know how to get down.
The tree hasn’t fallen—yet—because bases are a lot more stable these days. But all bets are off if Reggie decides to climb higher, since he is small but amazingly dense.
Other Christmas Critters?
In keeping with the theme, here are some of Laura Resnick’s pictures of this year’s Cincinnati Reindog parade, sponsored by the Cincinnati SPCA to raise money and also provide great entertainment for all concerned.
So—how do pets figure into your Christmas? Cats in trees, dogs treating the tree as if it was outdoors, parrots perching in the branches? If you have any good seasonal pet stories, by all means, share!
Mary Jo, adding that this is your last day to make a comment that will enter you in our Word Wenches giveaway — a Word Wenches Library with a book from each of us for a winner picked at random from among all those who post on the blog in December! Good luck!
You are one of the few people I have heard of that used a Scotch Pine for a Christmas tree. We lived in the NE corner of New York State and our neighbors had the acreage with the trees. We would trek out like you and find our tree, cut it down, and haul it home. My mom would also use branches to decorate throughout the house.
No inside pets when we were growing up. Six kids were enough. We have had cats and dogs for years. Aside from attacking the ornaments on the lower branches of the Christmas tree, only our first cat ever decided to get into the tree or climb it.
Thanks for the post. It brought back some good memories.
You are one of the few people I have heard of that used a Scotch Pine for a Christmas tree. We lived in the NE corner of New York State and our neighbors had the acreage with the trees. We would trek out like you and find our tree, cut it down, and haul it home. My mom would also use branches to decorate throughout the house.
No inside pets when we were growing up. Six kids were enough. We have had cats and dogs for years. Aside from attacking the ornaments on the lower branches of the Christmas tree, only our first cat ever decided to get into the tree or climb it.
Thanks for the post. It brought back some good memories.
You are one of the few people I have heard of that used a Scotch Pine for a Christmas tree. We lived in the NE corner of New York State and our neighbors had the acreage with the trees. We would trek out like you and find our tree, cut it down, and haul it home. My mom would also use branches to decorate throughout the house.
No inside pets when we were growing up. Six kids were enough. We have had cats and dogs for years. Aside from attacking the ornaments on the lower branches of the Christmas tree, only our first cat ever decided to get into the tree or climb it.
Thanks for the post. It brought back some good memories.
You are one of the few people I have heard of that used a Scotch Pine for a Christmas tree. We lived in the NE corner of New York State and our neighbors had the acreage with the trees. We would trek out like you and find our tree, cut it down, and haul it home. My mom would also use branches to decorate throughout the house.
No inside pets when we were growing up. Six kids were enough. We have had cats and dogs for years. Aside from attacking the ornaments on the lower branches of the Christmas tree, only our first cat ever decided to get into the tree or climb it.
Thanks for the post. It brought back some good memories.
You are one of the few people I have heard of that used a Scotch Pine for a Christmas tree. We lived in the NE corner of New York State and our neighbors had the acreage with the trees. We would trek out like you and find our tree, cut it down, and haul it home. My mom would also use branches to decorate throughout the house.
No inside pets when we were growing up. Six kids were enough. We have had cats and dogs for years. Aside from attacking the ornaments on the lower branches of the Christmas tree, only our first cat ever decided to get into the tree or climb it.
Thanks for the post. It brought back some good memories.
Mary Jo what a lovely post and I do so love those pictures. Here in Australia you can buy real trees and there are farms you can go to to pick your own the only problem is the heat they don’t usually last that long so we now have a plastic tree :(, but for many years had a real one and we often had to rescue one of our cats from up the tree although thankfully they never knocked one over.
Happy New Year everyone have a safe one that is filled with lots of fun. There is only 3 1/2 hours left of 2010 here in Sydney as I type this.
Have Fun
Helen
Mary Jo what a lovely post and I do so love those pictures. Here in Australia you can buy real trees and there are farms you can go to to pick your own the only problem is the heat they don’t usually last that long so we now have a plastic tree :(, but for many years had a real one and we often had to rescue one of our cats from up the tree although thankfully they never knocked one over.
Happy New Year everyone have a safe one that is filled with lots of fun. There is only 3 1/2 hours left of 2010 here in Sydney as I type this.
Have Fun
Helen
Mary Jo what a lovely post and I do so love those pictures. Here in Australia you can buy real trees and there are farms you can go to to pick your own the only problem is the heat they don’t usually last that long so we now have a plastic tree :(, but for many years had a real one and we often had to rescue one of our cats from up the tree although thankfully they never knocked one over.
Happy New Year everyone have a safe one that is filled with lots of fun. There is only 3 1/2 hours left of 2010 here in Sydney as I type this.
Have Fun
Helen
Mary Jo what a lovely post and I do so love those pictures. Here in Australia you can buy real trees and there are farms you can go to to pick your own the only problem is the heat they don’t usually last that long so we now have a plastic tree :(, but for many years had a real one and we often had to rescue one of our cats from up the tree although thankfully they never knocked one over.
Happy New Year everyone have a safe one that is filled with lots of fun. There is only 3 1/2 hours left of 2010 here in Sydney as I type this.
Have Fun
Helen
Mary Jo what a lovely post and I do so love those pictures. Here in Australia you can buy real trees and there are farms you can go to to pick your own the only problem is the heat they don’t usually last that long so we now have a plastic tree :(, but for many years had a real one and we often had to rescue one of our cats from up the tree although thankfully they never knocked one over.
Happy New Year everyone have a safe one that is filled with lots of fun. There is only 3 1/2 hours left of 2010 here in Sydney as I type this.
Have Fun
Helen
We haven’t had any cats for years and our cats never climbed trees -on the inside, anyway, but they did like the decorations…
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/01/20/funny-pictures-long-story-jus-pull-pleez/
We haven’t had any cats for years and our cats never climbed trees -on the inside, anyway, but they did like the decorations…
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/01/20/funny-pictures-long-story-jus-pull-pleez/
We haven’t had any cats for years and our cats never climbed trees -on the inside, anyway, but they did like the decorations…
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/01/20/funny-pictures-long-story-jus-pull-pleez/
We haven’t had any cats for years and our cats never climbed trees -on the inside, anyway, but they did like the decorations…
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/01/20/funny-pictures-long-story-jus-pull-pleez/
We haven’t had any cats for years and our cats never climbed trees -on the inside, anyway, but they did like the decorations…
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/01/20/funny-pictures-long-story-jus-pull-pleez/
When I was a child, my grandfather and I always picked out the Christmas tree the Sunday before Christmas day. My grandfather was a “Christmas Tree Specialist”, and he was very specific about what kind of tree to buy and how it should be decorated. His completed trees were a feast for the eyes and the sentiments. Looking back, I think he enjoyed the holidays more than anyone in our family. We usually had trees which were about 7 to 8 feet in height, full of lush boughs and very well-shaped. They would be decorated from top to bottom, with little odd keepsakes mixed with beautiful old-fashioned glass ornaments. We had two little Boston Terrier dogs, sisters, who were opposites in personality. One was meek and mild, the other was more frisky and aggressive. During one holiday when the tree was especially laden with ornaments, we noticed that the smaller glass balls along the bottom of the tree were apparently falling off and breaking. Also, during the same holiday, my eggnog began to disappear. While watching the Christmas specials on TV, I would sit on the floor with my cookies and eggnog, with the cup beside me. I noticed that the eggnog seemed to be disappearing faster than I was drinking it, and I was rather puzzled. Both mysteries were solved in time–each dog had committed a crime! The frisky one was caught red-handed snatching a glass ornament from a lower bough and crunching it, leaving pieces of glass in her wake. The meek one, seemingly distraught by her sister’s dastardly deeds had turned to stealing sips of eggnog from my cup. She was found out when we discovered her with an eggnog “mustache”. It was quite a holiday, and our subsequent trees were still fully decorated, just without breakables on the boughs within reach of two short black & white, pug-faced dogs!
When I was a child, my grandfather and I always picked out the Christmas tree the Sunday before Christmas day. My grandfather was a “Christmas Tree Specialist”, and he was very specific about what kind of tree to buy and how it should be decorated. His completed trees were a feast for the eyes and the sentiments. Looking back, I think he enjoyed the holidays more than anyone in our family. We usually had trees which were about 7 to 8 feet in height, full of lush boughs and very well-shaped. They would be decorated from top to bottom, with little odd keepsakes mixed with beautiful old-fashioned glass ornaments. We had two little Boston Terrier dogs, sisters, who were opposites in personality. One was meek and mild, the other was more frisky and aggressive. During one holiday when the tree was especially laden with ornaments, we noticed that the smaller glass balls along the bottom of the tree were apparently falling off and breaking. Also, during the same holiday, my eggnog began to disappear. While watching the Christmas specials on TV, I would sit on the floor with my cookies and eggnog, with the cup beside me. I noticed that the eggnog seemed to be disappearing faster than I was drinking it, and I was rather puzzled. Both mysteries were solved in time–each dog had committed a crime! The frisky one was caught red-handed snatching a glass ornament from a lower bough and crunching it, leaving pieces of glass in her wake. The meek one, seemingly distraught by her sister’s dastardly deeds had turned to stealing sips of eggnog from my cup. She was found out when we discovered her with an eggnog “mustache”. It was quite a holiday, and our subsequent trees were still fully decorated, just without breakables on the boughs within reach of two short black & white, pug-faced dogs!
When I was a child, my grandfather and I always picked out the Christmas tree the Sunday before Christmas day. My grandfather was a “Christmas Tree Specialist”, and he was very specific about what kind of tree to buy and how it should be decorated. His completed trees were a feast for the eyes and the sentiments. Looking back, I think he enjoyed the holidays more than anyone in our family. We usually had trees which were about 7 to 8 feet in height, full of lush boughs and very well-shaped. They would be decorated from top to bottom, with little odd keepsakes mixed with beautiful old-fashioned glass ornaments. We had two little Boston Terrier dogs, sisters, who were opposites in personality. One was meek and mild, the other was more frisky and aggressive. During one holiday when the tree was especially laden with ornaments, we noticed that the smaller glass balls along the bottom of the tree were apparently falling off and breaking. Also, during the same holiday, my eggnog began to disappear. While watching the Christmas specials on TV, I would sit on the floor with my cookies and eggnog, with the cup beside me. I noticed that the eggnog seemed to be disappearing faster than I was drinking it, and I was rather puzzled. Both mysteries were solved in time–each dog had committed a crime! The frisky one was caught red-handed snatching a glass ornament from a lower bough and crunching it, leaving pieces of glass in her wake. The meek one, seemingly distraught by her sister’s dastardly deeds had turned to stealing sips of eggnog from my cup. She was found out when we discovered her with an eggnog “mustache”. It was quite a holiday, and our subsequent trees were still fully decorated, just without breakables on the boughs within reach of two short black & white, pug-faced dogs!
When I was a child, my grandfather and I always picked out the Christmas tree the Sunday before Christmas day. My grandfather was a “Christmas Tree Specialist”, and he was very specific about what kind of tree to buy and how it should be decorated. His completed trees were a feast for the eyes and the sentiments. Looking back, I think he enjoyed the holidays more than anyone in our family. We usually had trees which were about 7 to 8 feet in height, full of lush boughs and very well-shaped. They would be decorated from top to bottom, with little odd keepsakes mixed with beautiful old-fashioned glass ornaments. We had two little Boston Terrier dogs, sisters, who were opposites in personality. One was meek and mild, the other was more frisky and aggressive. During one holiday when the tree was especially laden with ornaments, we noticed that the smaller glass balls along the bottom of the tree were apparently falling off and breaking. Also, during the same holiday, my eggnog began to disappear. While watching the Christmas specials on TV, I would sit on the floor with my cookies and eggnog, with the cup beside me. I noticed that the eggnog seemed to be disappearing faster than I was drinking it, and I was rather puzzled. Both mysteries were solved in time–each dog had committed a crime! The frisky one was caught red-handed snatching a glass ornament from a lower bough and crunching it, leaving pieces of glass in her wake. The meek one, seemingly distraught by her sister’s dastardly deeds had turned to stealing sips of eggnog from my cup. She was found out when we discovered her with an eggnog “mustache”. It was quite a holiday, and our subsequent trees were still fully decorated, just without breakables on the boughs within reach of two short black & white, pug-faced dogs!
When I was a child, my grandfather and I always picked out the Christmas tree the Sunday before Christmas day. My grandfather was a “Christmas Tree Specialist”, and he was very specific about what kind of tree to buy and how it should be decorated. His completed trees were a feast for the eyes and the sentiments. Looking back, I think he enjoyed the holidays more than anyone in our family. We usually had trees which were about 7 to 8 feet in height, full of lush boughs and very well-shaped. They would be decorated from top to bottom, with little odd keepsakes mixed with beautiful old-fashioned glass ornaments. We had two little Boston Terrier dogs, sisters, who were opposites in personality. One was meek and mild, the other was more frisky and aggressive. During one holiday when the tree was especially laden with ornaments, we noticed that the smaller glass balls along the bottom of the tree were apparently falling off and breaking. Also, during the same holiday, my eggnog began to disappear. While watching the Christmas specials on TV, I would sit on the floor with my cookies and eggnog, with the cup beside me. I noticed that the eggnog seemed to be disappearing faster than I was drinking it, and I was rather puzzled. Both mysteries were solved in time–each dog had committed a crime! The frisky one was caught red-handed snatching a glass ornament from a lower bough and crunching it, leaving pieces of glass in her wake. The meek one, seemingly distraught by her sister’s dastardly deeds had turned to stealing sips of eggnog from my cup. She was found out when we discovered her with an eggnog “mustache”. It was quite a holiday, and our subsequent trees were still fully decorated, just without breakables on the boughs within reach of two short black & white, pug-faced dogs!
I’m lucky — my dog is well behaved. She doesn’t get into any gifts (wrapped or unwrapped) laying on the floor or any other “bad” holiday habits. Only need to occasionally remind her to watch that happy tail wagging isn’t too close to the tree as to knock any ornaments off. So far nothing has ever broken but it is surprising how high up that tail can wag at times 😉
Happy New Year all! 🙂
I’m lucky — my dog is well behaved. She doesn’t get into any gifts (wrapped or unwrapped) laying on the floor or any other “bad” holiday habits. Only need to occasionally remind her to watch that happy tail wagging isn’t too close to the tree as to knock any ornaments off. So far nothing has ever broken but it is surprising how high up that tail can wag at times 😉
Happy New Year all! 🙂
I’m lucky — my dog is well behaved. She doesn’t get into any gifts (wrapped or unwrapped) laying on the floor or any other “bad” holiday habits. Only need to occasionally remind her to watch that happy tail wagging isn’t too close to the tree as to knock any ornaments off. So far nothing has ever broken but it is surprising how high up that tail can wag at times 😉
Happy New Year all! 🙂
I’m lucky — my dog is well behaved. She doesn’t get into any gifts (wrapped or unwrapped) laying on the floor or any other “bad” holiday habits. Only need to occasionally remind her to watch that happy tail wagging isn’t too close to the tree as to knock any ornaments off. So far nothing has ever broken but it is surprising how high up that tail can wag at times 😉
Happy New Year all! 🙂
I’m lucky — my dog is well behaved. She doesn’t get into any gifts (wrapped or unwrapped) laying on the floor or any other “bad” holiday habits. Only need to occasionally remind her to watch that happy tail wagging isn’t too close to the tree as to knock any ornaments off. So far nothing has ever broken but it is surprising how high up that tail can wag at times 😉
Happy New Year all! 🙂
Interesting memories but…i grew up in houston and one year someone gave my mother a tumbleweed and we used it for a christmas tree. I remember it was sprayed white and had glitter…
Interesting memories but…i grew up in houston and one year someone gave my mother a tumbleweed and we used it for a christmas tree. I remember it was sprayed white and had glitter…
Interesting memories but…i grew up in houston and one year someone gave my mother a tumbleweed and we used it for a christmas tree. I remember it was sprayed white and had glitter…
Interesting memories but…i grew up in houston and one year someone gave my mother a tumbleweed and we used it for a christmas tree. I remember it was sprayed white and had glitter…
Interesting memories but…i grew up in houston and one year someone gave my mother a tumbleweed and we used it for a christmas tree. I remember it was sprayed white and had glitter…
lovely pics! I grew up in Montreal, where a white Christmas was also a given. We went in for tinsel too. Today I live in Nova Scotia, where the only predictable thing about the weather is its unpredictablilty. We always have a real fir for a Christmas tree, but we forego tinsel because our two rambunctious Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers couldn’t be trusted with it. As for the gingerbread cookie ornaments I used to make, that’s a no-brainer. They’re too yummy for dogs to resist. Nada. So the tree is safe, except from flapping tails and hurtling dogs playing chase in our small living room. Makes life interesting.
lovely pics! I grew up in Montreal, where a white Christmas was also a given. We went in for tinsel too. Today I live in Nova Scotia, where the only predictable thing about the weather is its unpredictablilty. We always have a real fir for a Christmas tree, but we forego tinsel because our two rambunctious Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers couldn’t be trusted with it. As for the gingerbread cookie ornaments I used to make, that’s a no-brainer. They’re too yummy for dogs to resist. Nada. So the tree is safe, except from flapping tails and hurtling dogs playing chase in our small living room. Makes life interesting.
lovely pics! I grew up in Montreal, where a white Christmas was also a given. We went in for tinsel too. Today I live in Nova Scotia, where the only predictable thing about the weather is its unpredictablilty. We always have a real fir for a Christmas tree, but we forego tinsel because our two rambunctious Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers couldn’t be trusted with it. As for the gingerbread cookie ornaments I used to make, that’s a no-brainer. They’re too yummy for dogs to resist. Nada. So the tree is safe, except from flapping tails and hurtling dogs playing chase in our small living room. Makes life interesting.
lovely pics! I grew up in Montreal, where a white Christmas was also a given. We went in for tinsel too. Today I live in Nova Scotia, where the only predictable thing about the weather is its unpredictablilty. We always have a real fir for a Christmas tree, but we forego tinsel because our two rambunctious Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers couldn’t be trusted with it. As for the gingerbread cookie ornaments I used to make, that’s a no-brainer. They’re too yummy for dogs to resist. Nada. So the tree is safe, except from flapping tails and hurtling dogs playing chase in our small living room. Makes life interesting.
lovely pics! I grew up in Montreal, where a white Christmas was also a given. We went in for tinsel too. Today I live in Nova Scotia, where the only predictable thing about the weather is its unpredictablilty. We always have a real fir for a Christmas tree, but we forego tinsel because our two rambunctious Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers couldn’t be trusted with it. As for the gingerbread cookie ornaments I used to make, that’s a no-brainer. They’re too yummy for dogs to resist. Nada. So the tree is safe, except from flapping tails and hurtling dogs playing chase in our small living room. Makes life interesting.
Librarypat, though we had thousands of Scotch pines, our trees were actually spruces. We had fewer of them, but enough. I do recall, though, that when I was small, there were more long needled Christmas trees than there are now. They are harder to decorate and don’t show the ornaments as well.
Helen, it must be New Year’s in Sydney by now, so Happy Hogmany! Sad to think of those poor trees being beaten down by the hot Aussie summers. Sometimes, artificial trees really are the best choice!
Librarypat, though we had thousands of Scotch pines, our trees were actually spruces. We had fewer of them, but enough. I do recall, though, that when I was small, there were more long needled Christmas trees than there are now. They are harder to decorate and don’t show the ornaments as well.
Helen, it must be New Year’s in Sydney by now, so Happy Hogmany! Sad to think of those poor trees being beaten down by the hot Aussie summers. Sometimes, artificial trees really are the best choice!
Librarypat, though we had thousands of Scotch pines, our trees were actually spruces. We had fewer of them, but enough. I do recall, though, that when I was small, there were more long needled Christmas trees than there are now. They are harder to decorate and don’t show the ornaments as well.
Helen, it must be New Year’s in Sydney by now, so Happy Hogmany! Sad to think of those poor trees being beaten down by the hot Aussie summers. Sometimes, artificial trees really are the best choice!
Librarypat, though we had thousands of Scotch pines, our trees were actually spruces. We had fewer of them, but enough. I do recall, though, that when I was small, there were more long needled Christmas trees than there are now. They are harder to decorate and don’t show the ornaments as well.
Helen, it must be New Year’s in Sydney by now, so Happy Hogmany! Sad to think of those poor trees being beaten down by the hot Aussie summers. Sometimes, artificial trees really are the best choice!
Librarypat, though we had thousands of Scotch pines, our trees were actually spruces. We had fewer of them, but enough. I do recall, though, that when I was small, there were more long needled Christmas trees than there are now. They are harder to decorate and don’t show the ornaments as well.
Helen, it must be New Year’s in Sydney by now, so Happy Hogmany! Sad to think of those poor trees being beaten down by the hot Aussie summers. Sometimes, artificial trees really are the best choice!
Clearly cats climbing Christmas trees are as universal a trait as box sitting! Minna, the LOLCat in the picture really managed to get himself in trouble, In fact, that looks like the back end of Reggie the Rascal…
Virginia, I got a laugh out of how BOTH Boston Terriers developed seasonal vices.
Clearly cats climbing Christmas trees are as universal a trait as box sitting! Minna, the LOLCat in the picture really managed to get himself in trouble, In fact, that looks like the back end of Reggie the Rascal…
Virginia, I got a laugh out of how BOTH Boston Terriers developed seasonal vices.
Clearly cats climbing Christmas trees are as universal a trait as box sitting! Minna, the LOLCat in the picture really managed to get himself in trouble, In fact, that looks like the back end of Reggie the Rascal…
Virginia, I got a laugh out of how BOTH Boston Terriers developed seasonal vices.
Clearly cats climbing Christmas trees are as universal a trait as box sitting! Minna, the LOLCat in the picture really managed to get himself in trouble, In fact, that looks like the back end of Reggie the Rascal…
Virginia, I got a laugh out of how BOTH Boston Terriers developed seasonal vices.
Clearly cats climbing Christmas trees are as universal a trait as box sitting! Minna, the LOLCat in the picture really managed to get himself in trouble, In fact, that looks like the back end of Reggie the Rascal…
Virginia, I got a laugh out of how BOTH Boston Terriers developed seasonal vices.
I learned early that the ornaments near the bottom of the tree should be the unbreakables, with the blown glass higher up, and I see here that’s necessry with both cats -and- dogs. Those dangerous wagging tails!
Judith, I rather like the idea of a tumbleweed tree. That have an interesting structure, and probably decorated very nicely after being painted white. Christmas trees are a relatively recent innovation (Germanic, and within the last four or five centuries), so why not a tumbleweed?
I learned early that the ornaments near the bottom of the tree should be the unbreakables, with the blown glass higher up, and I see here that’s necessry with both cats -and- dogs. Those dangerous wagging tails!
Judith, I rather like the idea of a tumbleweed tree. That have an interesting structure, and probably decorated very nicely after being painted white. Christmas trees are a relatively recent innovation (Germanic, and within the last four or five centuries), so why not a tumbleweed?
I learned early that the ornaments near the bottom of the tree should be the unbreakables, with the blown glass higher up, and I see here that’s necessry with both cats -and- dogs. Those dangerous wagging tails!
Judith, I rather like the idea of a tumbleweed tree. That have an interesting structure, and probably decorated very nicely after being painted white. Christmas trees are a relatively recent innovation (Germanic, and within the last four or five centuries), so why not a tumbleweed?
I learned early that the ornaments near the bottom of the tree should be the unbreakables, with the blown glass higher up, and I see here that’s necessry with both cats -and- dogs. Those dangerous wagging tails!
Judith, I rather like the idea of a tumbleweed tree. That have an interesting structure, and probably decorated very nicely after being painted white. Christmas trees are a relatively recent innovation (Germanic, and within the last four or five centuries), so why not a tumbleweed?
I learned early that the ornaments near the bottom of the tree should be the unbreakables, with the blown glass higher up, and I see here that’s necessry with both cats -and- dogs. Those dangerous wagging tails!
Judith, I rather like the idea of a tumbleweed tree. That have an interesting structure, and probably decorated very nicely after being painted white. Christmas trees are a relatively recent innovation (Germanic, and within the last four or five centuries), so why not a tumbleweed?
I have to ask, is that comment about how amazingly dense Reggie is in reference to body? Or mind?
😆 Sorry, but that one really made me laugh!
I remember the days of guy-wires and rock filled coffee cans. These days, I have a very tall tree (14 feet this year) so a coffee can would have never done! Thankfully though, Molly has no claws (she looks remarkably like Reggie!) so doesn’t bother trying to climb it and the dogs don’t putz with the ornaments except to knock them off when they walk by because I have clumsy dogs.
On a side note: I live in SE Michigan and Scotch Pines are the most popular tree by far here with any kind of spruce a close second. I’ve been buying Michigan White Pines for years now though. You can leave them up till May (if you’re so inclined, which I would never consider, but a friend does every year) and not lose one needle. And they aren’t pokey and don’t make me break out in hives like the Scotch Pines do.
I have to ask, is that comment about how amazingly dense Reggie is in reference to body? Or mind?
😆 Sorry, but that one really made me laugh!
I remember the days of guy-wires and rock filled coffee cans. These days, I have a very tall tree (14 feet this year) so a coffee can would have never done! Thankfully though, Molly has no claws (she looks remarkably like Reggie!) so doesn’t bother trying to climb it and the dogs don’t putz with the ornaments except to knock them off when they walk by because I have clumsy dogs.
On a side note: I live in SE Michigan and Scotch Pines are the most popular tree by far here with any kind of spruce a close second. I’ve been buying Michigan White Pines for years now though. You can leave them up till May (if you’re so inclined, which I would never consider, but a friend does every year) and not lose one needle. And they aren’t pokey and don’t make me break out in hives like the Scotch Pines do.
I have to ask, is that comment about how amazingly dense Reggie is in reference to body? Or mind?
😆 Sorry, but that one really made me laugh!
I remember the days of guy-wires and rock filled coffee cans. These days, I have a very tall tree (14 feet this year) so a coffee can would have never done! Thankfully though, Molly has no claws (she looks remarkably like Reggie!) so doesn’t bother trying to climb it and the dogs don’t putz with the ornaments except to knock them off when they walk by because I have clumsy dogs.
On a side note: I live in SE Michigan and Scotch Pines are the most popular tree by far here with any kind of spruce a close second. I’ve been buying Michigan White Pines for years now though. You can leave them up till May (if you’re so inclined, which I would never consider, but a friend does every year) and not lose one needle. And they aren’t pokey and don’t make me break out in hives like the Scotch Pines do.
I have to ask, is that comment about how amazingly dense Reggie is in reference to body? Or mind?
😆 Sorry, but that one really made me laugh!
I remember the days of guy-wires and rock filled coffee cans. These days, I have a very tall tree (14 feet this year) so a coffee can would have never done! Thankfully though, Molly has no claws (she looks remarkably like Reggie!) so doesn’t bother trying to climb it and the dogs don’t putz with the ornaments except to knock them off when they walk by because I have clumsy dogs.
On a side note: I live in SE Michigan and Scotch Pines are the most popular tree by far here with any kind of spruce a close second. I’ve been buying Michigan White Pines for years now though. You can leave them up till May (if you’re so inclined, which I would never consider, but a friend does every year) and not lose one needle. And they aren’t pokey and don’t make me break out in hives like the Scotch Pines do.
I have to ask, is that comment about how amazingly dense Reggie is in reference to body? Or mind?
😆 Sorry, but that one really made me laugh!
I remember the days of guy-wires and rock filled coffee cans. These days, I have a very tall tree (14 feet this year) so a coffee can would have never done! Thankfully though, Molly has no claws (she looks remarkably like Reggie!) so doesn’t bother trying to climb it and the dogs don’t putz with the ornaments except to knock them off when they walk by because I have clumsy dogs.
On a side note: I live in SE Michigan and Scotch Pines are the most popular tree by far here with any kind of spruce a close second. I’ve been buying Michigan White Pines for years now though. You can leave them up till May (if you’re so inclined, which I would never consider, but a friend does every year) and not lose one needle. And they aren’t pokey and don’t make me break out in hives like the Scotch Pines do.
LOL, Theo! Reggie is dense as in clueless, but also, even though he’s the smallest of my four cats, he’s the youngest and most aggressive, and his little body is muscular like a boa constrictor.
14′ is a SERIOUS tree! Interesting that the types are clearly regional. Here in Maryland, the short needled spruce and firs are the most popular. I particularly like the Frasier firs.
I have beautiful white pines behind my house, and the needles dance gracefully in even slight breezes. The picture of the deer was taken from my living room, and you can see the pines. Lovely.
LOL, Theo! Reggie is dense as in clueless, but also, even though he’s the smallest of my four cats, he’s the youngest and most aggressive, and his little body is muscular like a boa constrictor.
14′ is a SERIOUS tree! Interesting that the types are clearly regional. Here in Maryland, the short needled spruce and firs are the most popular. I particularly like the Frasier firs.
I have beautiful white pines behind my house, and the needles dance gracefully in even slight breezes. The picture of the deer was taken from my living room, and you can see the pines. Lovely.
LOL, Theo! Reggie is dense as in clueless, but also, even though he’s the smallest of my four cats, he’s the youngest and most aggressive, and his little body is muscular like a boa constrictor.
14′ is a SERIOUS tree! Interesting that the types are clearly regional. Here in Maryland, the short needled spruce and firs are the most popular. I particularly like the Frasier firs.
I have beautiful white pines behind my house, and the needles dance gracefully in even slight breezes. The picture of the deer was taken from my living room, and you can see the pines. Lovely.
LOL, Theo! Reggie is dense as in clueless, but also, even though he’s the smallest of my four cats, he’s the youngest and most aggressive, and his little body is muscular like a boa constrictor.
14′ is a SERIOUS tree! Interesting that the types are clearly regional. Here in Maryland, the short needled spruce and firs are the most popular. I particularly like the Frasier firs.
I have beautiful white pines behind my house, and the needles dance gracefully in even slight breezes. The picture of the deer was taken from my living room, and you can see the pines. Lovely.
LOL, Theo! Reggie is dense as in clueless, but also, even though he’s the smallest of my four cats, he’s the youngest and most aggressive, and his little body is muscular like a boa constrictor.
14′ is a SERIOUS tree! Interesting that the types are clearly regional. Here in Maryland, the short needled spruce and firs are the most popular. I particularly like the Frasier firs.
I have beautiful white pines behind my house, and the needles dance gracefully in even slight breezes. The picture of the deer was taken from my living room, and you can see the pines. Lovely.
Oh, I remember the tinsel. When we were kids, my sister and I would literally throw it onto the tree. Must be something about kids and tinsel. We also loved ornaments. We put everything we had on the tree, and we got more ornaments every year. The tree could have been bare branches, for all the green you could see through the decorations.
And for those of us who like ducks, there are the songs Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reinduck, and Jingle Duck. Quack.
Oh, I remember the tinsel. When we were kids, my sister and I would literally throw it onto the tree. Must be something about kids and tinsel. We also loved ornaments. We put everything we had on the tree, and we got more ornaments every year. The tree could have been bare branches, for all the green you could see through the decorations.
And for those of us who like ducks, there are the songs Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reinduck, and Jingle Duck. Quack.
Oh, I remember the tinsel. When we were kids, my sister and I would literally throw it onto the tree. Must be something about kids and tinsel. We also loved ornaments. We put everything we had on the tree, and we got more ornaments every year. The tree could have been bare branches, for all the green you could see through the decorations.
And for those of us who like ducks, there are the songs Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reinduck, and Jingle Duck. Quack.
Oh, I remember the tinsel. When we were kids, my sister and I would literally throw it onto the tree. Must be something about kids and tinsel. We also loved ornaments. We put everything we had on the tree, and we got more ornaments every year. The tree could have been bare branches, for all the green you could see through the decorations.
And for those of us who like ducks, there are the songs Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reinduck, and Jingle Duck. Quack.
Oh, I remember the tinsel. When we were kids, my sister and I would literally throw it onto the tree. Must be something about kids and tinsel. We also loved ornaments. We put everything we had on the tree, and we got more ornaments every year. The tree could have been bare branches, for all the green you could see through the decorations.
And for those of us who like ducks, there are the songs Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reinduck, and Jingle Duck. Quack.
Hey Mary Jo! Love the reindog pics, especially the little guy playing a most excellent replacement Santa in the sled. Looks like he sat on poor old St. Nick’s head to get the job.
Anyway, we gave up real trees the year I threw the last one out the door. The thing wouldn’t stand up for nothing. I still get razzed about that.
Since the arrival of our shepherds, we hang one or two little silver bells on the lower limbs so when one of them squeezes between the chair and the tree (why they needs do that I will never know) they ring the bell, and unknowingly hand out another pair angel wings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all. Thank you for shedding light during a rather dreary 2010.
((hugs))
Nina
Hey Mary Jo! Love the reindog pics, especially the little guy playing a most excellent replacement Santa in the sled. Looks like he sat on poor old St. Nick’s head to get the job.
Anyway, we gave up real trees the year I threw the last one out the door. The thing wouldn’t stand up for nothing. I still get razzed about that.
Since the arrival of our shepherds, we hang one or two little silver bells on the lower limbs so when one of them squeezes between the chair and the tree (why they needs do that I will never know) they ring the bell, and unknowingly hand out another pair angel wings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all. Thank you for shedding light during a rather dreary 2010.
((hugs))
Nina
Hey Mary Jo! Love the reindog pics, especially the little guy playing a most excellent replacement Santa in the sled. Looks like he sat on poor old St. Nick’s head to get the job.
Anyway, we gave up real trees the year I threw the last one out the door. The thing wouldn’t stand up for nothing. I still get razzed about that.
Since the arrival of our shepherds, we hang one or two little silver bells on the lower limbs so when one of them squeezes between the chair and the tree (why they needs do that I will never know) they ring the bell, and unknowingly hand out another pair angel wings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all. Thank you for shedding light during a rather dreary 2010.
((hugs))
Nina
Hey Mary Jo! Love the reindog pics, especially the little guy playing a most excellent replacement Santa in the sled. Looks like he sat on poor old St. Nick’s head to get the job.
Anyway, we gave up real trees the year I threw the last one out the door. The thing wouldn’t stand up for nothing. I still get razzed about that.
Since the arrival of our shepherds, we hang one or two little silver bells on the lower limbs so when one of them squeezes between the chair and the tree (why they needs do that I will never know) they ring the bell, and unknowingly hand out another pair angel wings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all. Thank you for shedding light during a rather dreary 2010.
((hugs))
Nina
Hey Mary Jo! Love the reindog pics, especially the little guy playing a most excellent replacement Santa in the sled. Looks like he sat on poor old St. Nick’s head to get the job.
Anyway, we gave up real trees the year I threw the last one out the door. The thing wouldn’t stand up for nothing. I still get razzed about that.
Since the arrival of our shepherds, we hang one or two little silver bells on the lower limbs so when one of them squeezes between the chair and the tree (why they needs do that I will never know) they ring the bell, and unknowingly hand out another pair angel wings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all. Thank you for shedding light during a rather dreary 2010.
((hugs))
Nina
I love real Christmas trees, but after several years of sweeping up pine needles clear into the month of March, we went with an artificial tree and have had one for the last 5 years. Although, it is a great mystery to me as to why I still sweep up artificial needles after we take the tree down! 🙂 My poor tree had a case of Double O this year—Ornament Overload. But, I love it with all of its decorations and gold tinsel and colored lights (all 400 of them).
We have a Chorkie, more Yorkie than Chiuaua, who did do his business underneath the tree skirt last year. This year I sprayed some stuff called “No Pets” around and under the skirt and it seemed to have worked.
I love real Christmas trees, but after several years of sweeping up pine needles clear into the month of March, we went with an artificial tree and have had one for the last 5 years. Although, it is a great mystery to me as to why I still sweep up artificial needles after we take the tree down! 🙂 My poor tree had a case of Double O this year—Ornament Overload. But, I love it with all of its decorations and gold tinsel and colored lights (all 400 of them).
We have a Chorkie, more Yorkie than Chiuaua, who did do his business underneath the tree skirt last year. This year I sprayed some stuff called “No Pets” around and under the skirt and it seemed to have worked.
I love real Christmas trees, but after several years of sweeping up pine needles clear into the month of March, we went with an artificial tree and have had one for the last 5 years. Although, it is a great mystery to me as to why I still sweep up artificial needles after we take the tree down! 🙂 My poor tree had a case of Double O this year—Ornament Overload. But, I love it with all of its decorations and gold tinsel and colored lights (all 400 of them).
We have a Chorkie, more Yorkie than Chiuaua, who did do his business underneath the tree skirt last year. This year I sprayed some stuff called “No Pets” around and under the skirt and it seemed to have worked.
I love real Christmas trees, but after several years of sweeping up pine needles clear into the month of March, we went with an artificial tree and have had one for the last 5 years. Although, it is a great mystery to me as to why I still sweep up artificial needles after we take the tree down! 🙂 My poor tree had a case of Double O this year—Ornament Overload. But, I love it with all of its decorations and gold tinsel and colored lights (all 400 of them).
We have a Chorkie, more Yorkie than Chiuaua, who did do his business underneath the tree skirt last year. This year I sprayed some stuff called “No Pets” around and under the skirt and it seemed to have worked.
I love real Christmas trees, but after several years of sweeping up pine needles clear into the month of March, we went with an artificial tree and have had one for the last 5 years. Although, it is a great mystery to me as to why I still sweep up artificial needles after we take the tree down! 🙂 My poor tree had a case of Double O this year—Ornament Overload. But, I love it with all of its decorations and gold tinsel and colored lights (all 400 of them).
We have a Chorkie, more Yorkie than Chiuaua, who did do his business underneath the tree skirt last year. This year I sprayed some stuff called “No Pets” around and under the skirt and it seemed to have worked.
Kids love sparklies, Linda. Some of us never outgrow this. *g* I never heard of Jingle Duck, though!
Nina, in most Christmas stories the shepherds have two feet, not four. *g* I love the idea that they ring the angel bells for you!
Deb–BAD Chorkie!!! I’m glad you found a solution. *g*
Kids love sparklies, Linda. Some of us never outgrow this. *g* I never heard of Jingle Duck, though!
Nina, in most Christmas stories the shepherds have two feet, not four. *g* I love the idea that they ring the angel bells for you!
Deb–BAD Chorkie!!! I’m glad you found a solution. *g*
Kids love sparklies, Linda. Some of us never outgrow this. *g* I never heard of Jingle Duck, though!
Nina, in most Christmas stories the shepherds have two feet, not four. *g* I love the idea that they ring the angel bells for you!
Deb–BAD Chorkie!!! I’m glad you found a solution. *g*
Kids love sparklies, Linda. Some of us never outgrow this. *g* I never heard of Jingle Duck, though!
Nina, in most Christmas stories the shepherds have two feet, not four. *g* I love the idea that they ring the angel bells for you!
Deb–BAD Chorkie!!! I’m glad you found a solution. *g*
Kids love sparklies, Linda. Some of us never outgrow this. *g* I never heard of Jingle Duck, though!
Nina, in most Christmas stories the shepherds have two feet, not four. *g* I love the idea that they ring the angel bells for you!
Deb–BAD Chorkie!!! I’m glad you found a solution. *g*
I know this misses your December deadline, but after reading all the amusing & memory raising tales, I’d like to tell you a funny from my past. Our neighbors loved Dachshunds & decided to get a kitten to be their new puppy’s buddy. They named the kitten Samson & the pup Delila. The babies were inseparable, what one would do the other would follow enthusiastically! Well, Christmas came with a big fresh cut tree, & these two rascals were busy chasing each other through the house. Not missing a beat, they both ended the chase halfway up the tree! Their owner could not believe her eyes when tree, kitten & pup crashed to the floor ornaments flying! And this happened at least two more times before they were banned from that room. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Happy New Year to all!
I know this misses your December deadline, but after reading all the amusing & memory raising tales, I’d like to tell you a funny from my past. Our neighbors loved Dachshunds & decided to get a kitten to be their new puppy’s buddy. They named the kitten Samson & the pup Delila. The babies were inseparable, what one would do the other would follow enthusiastically! Well, Christmas came with a big fresh cut tree, & these two rascals were busy chasing each other through the house. Not missing a beat, they both ended the chase halfway up the tree! Their owner could not believe her eyes when tree, kitten & pup crashed to the floor ornaments flying! And this happened at least two more times before they were banned from that room. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Happy New Year to all!
I know this misses your December deadline, but after reading all the amusing & memory raising tales, I’d like to tell you a funny from my past. Our neighbors loved Dachshunds & decided to get a kitten to be their new puppy’s buddy. They named the kitten Samson & the pup Delila. The babies were inseparable, what one would do the other would follow enthusiastically! Well, Christmas came with a big fresh cut tree, & these two rascals were busy chasing each other through the house. Not missing a beat, they both ended the chase halfway up the tree! Their owner could not believe her eyes when tree, kitten & pup crashed to the floor ornaments flying! And this happened at least two more times before they were banned from that room. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Happy New Year to all!
I know this misses your December deadline, but after reading all the amusing & memory raising tales, I’d like to tell you a funny from my past. Our neighbors loved Dachshunds & decided to get a kitten to be their new puppy’s buddy. They named the kitten Samson & the pup Delila. The babies were inseparable, what one would do the other would follow enthusiastically! Well, Christmas came with a big fresh cut tree, & these two rascals were busy chasing each other through the house. Not missing a beat, they both ended the chase halfway up the tree! Their owner could not believe her eyes when tree, kitten & pup crashed to the floor ornaments flying! And this happened at least two more times before they were banned from that room. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Happy New Year to all!
I know this misses your December deadline, but after reading all the amusing & memory raising tales, I’d like to tell you a funny from my past. Our neighbors loved Dachshunds & decided to get a kitten to be their new puppy’s buddy. They named the kitten Samson & the pup Delila. The babies were inseparable, what one would do the other would follow enthusiastically! Well, Christmas came with a big fresh cut tree, & these two rascals were busy chasing each other through the house. Not missing a beat, they both ended the chase halfway up the tree! Their owner could not believe her eyes when tree, kitten & pup crashed to the floor ornaments flying! And this happened at least two more times before they were banned from that room. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Happy New Year to all!
LOL about Samson and Delila, Jean! Knowing cats, I’ll just bet that wily feline led the poor pup up the tree to get him into trouble. *g* Three times!!!!! One must give the dachshund extra credit for climbing ability. They’re really not designed for it. *g*
LOL about Samson and Delila, Jean! Knowing cats, I’ll just bet that wily feline led the poor pup up the tree to get him into trouble. *g* Three times!!!!! One must give the dachshund extra credit for climbing ability. They’re really not designed for it. *g*
LOL about Samson and Delila, Jean! Knowing cats, I’ll just bet that wily feline led the poor pup up the tree to get him into trouble. *g* Three times!!!!! One must give the dachshund extra credit for climbing ability. They’re really not designed for it. *g*
LOL about Samson and Delila, Jean! Knowing cats, I’ll just bet that wily feline led the poor pup up the tree to get him into trouble. *g* Three times!!!!! One must give the dachshund extra credit for climbing ability. They’re really not designed for it. *g*
LOL about Samson and Delila, Jean! Knowing cats, I’ll just bet that wily feline led the poor pup up the tree to get him into trouble. *g* Three times!!!!! One must give the dachshund extra credit for climbing ability. They’re really not designed for it. *g*