O Christmas Tree

Today was the day I had set aside for beginning Christmas at our house.  The girls had told me (in no uncertain terms, I might add) that they did not want to put up the artificial tree.  So I set off this morning to find the real thing.

It didn't take me nearly as long as I thought it would to pick out THE one.  I was even able to install the roof rack without assistance as I waited for a young man to trim the bottom and bring it to the car.  As nice as he was, his tree-tying skills need work.  After he was safely away, I re-tied the ends with real knots and prayed the middle was secure.

The tree is now safely home and having a drink on the front porch.  While it was resting, I thought I'd tidy it up a bit. Caught in its green tresses was foliage that had been shed by some of its former neighbors.  I found pine needles and leaves from at least 2 types of oak.  Up next to the trunk, I spied what I thought was a wad of grass.  As I pulled it out, I realized it was an empty nest.  I don't know if it has ever secured a family of little birds.  It appears still loosely woven rather than pressed together from habitation.  I was tempted to leave it in place, perhaps filling it with a small glass occupant.  Then I concluded that the temptation to the feline members of the household might be too much resist.