Well, I just got done putting up my tree. I got the tree seated in the stand, filled it with water, spread the drape over the base, and stood back and looked at it. Tomorrow I intend to decorate it during the Ravens game. As I looked at the tree and thought,“now I’m ready for Christmas”, a strange thing happened. The felt Santa on the drape took on a sinister aspect. His eyes narrowed until they were venomous pinpricks, and an almost vulpine grin split his face, making me realize, why did I bother? Nothing is ever going to sit under that tree. The stocking hanging on the wall will remain empty. Any gifts I recieve this year will be sitting under my parent’s tree, not mine. I suppose I will put the gifts I buy for others under the tree, and there is a certain pleasure in that, anticipating the looks on their faces as they open them, but the coffee table would have served that purpose as well. I have a tree without a purpose.
So, it seems to me that this is the perfect time to crack open a bottle of burbon whiskey, and pass it around. This is not the time for the good stuff, oh no. This is the house brand, Ole Itchey Feet™ Burbon, $5.99 a fifth. I crack the seal and take a big pull directly from the neck of the bottle. Anyone else who’s going to be alone this holiday season want a swig?
Well Dave, I won’t be alone at Christmas and I don’t drink, but I am feeling sorry for myself for entirely different reasons. Mind if I just come and sit and mope with you?
There was this one Christmas where the only gift I got to open was a fifth of “Rebel Yell”. Glad to join you dave.
PS: Good for you that you put up the tree. Decorate it from here to next Tuesday. I haven’t had a tree for fifteen years, and I have a sh!tload of ornaments. Put a couple extra strings of lights on it for me. Just for you dave, I’m going to go out and put up my Christmas lights tomorrow. I almost had convinced myself not to put them up (West coast power shortage and all). However, you have made up my mind to do so.
I think that you will appreciate that they are old style waxed cloth insulation type medium size bulb strings that I found at a Salvation Army store. The four strings were from the 1950’s and in perfect condition (in the original boxes) and were priced at $4.00 a string. The biggest damage to these collector’s items were the carelessly placed adhesive price tags.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you have made me decide to put up my lights. Thanks dave.
My ex came home from deployment 23 December and told me was splitting. I put the damn tree up anyhow and spent several days crying over gin and tonic looking at the ornaments gramma had made for me over the years. Then took the tree down and threw his ornaments into the closet. Haven’t put a tree up since.
So.
