The Christmas Forest

Inspired by the hundreds (thousands perhaps) of adolescent white pines on our property, I proposed that this year, we harvest our own trees. To make up for the gangly or perhaps spindly appearance of our pines, I suggested that each child select a tree, and we would choose a third. We would group them, attractively of course, to provide a little fullness. I envisioned an aesthetically pleasing, homespun yet sophisticated gathering of trees, decorated with charming child-crafted paper ornaments. Something slightly scandanavian in effect -- drawing elegance from simplicity. I believe these trees sprouted, in my mind, from rustic burlap covered bags, adorned with a single ribbon. Not Martha Stewart so much as Dwell.

Ah yes. That vision thing. The vision is all "ahh" but the reality -- well, the reality is more "ha!" Our Christmas Forest is funny. And it won't be gracing a magazine cover any time soon.

It started well. The kids were tired, having been at the property while Kirk and I tackled the Oriental Bittersweet. They were ready to go home. A few drops of rain threatened the whole undertaking. But - what's that? -- a fantastic double rainbow appears -- a timely distraction that gets us back on task.

The tree selection goes quickly. Dexter chooses small, Bella picks a mid-size tree. Hatchet at the handy, Dad and Dexter have the trees down in a jiffy. I pick our tree and after a few moments determining whether it is actually on our side of the property line, it comes down as well. We trundle them off, bundle them atop the car, grab a couple empty buckets and some sand and homeward bound.

All's well. Except of course, a tree that appears small in the forest turns out to be a good 15 feet tall. And while spindly, a good 10 feet around. The trees will not be gracefully clustered. They will not stand straight. And the charming burlap-covered buckets? Well, at least the printing on the white plastic construction buckets is red and green.

Right now, the Forest dominates our living room. Kirk and Bella managed to string some lights up the trunks, and we've enthusiastically decorated the bottom third of the trees. We may finish them before Christmas.

Then again, there is always next year.