Dec. 14, ‘09-I greet the day with zest and plug first the artificial Christmas tree in. A bell ornament dingles as I fumble with no lights on @ 5 AM. I stumble on Hawken’s police tow truck that he hooked up to the tree last night. He’s loaded the truck with assorted round decorative balls. I smile as I notice how the artificial garland is hooked up to the John Deere tractor under the real Christmas tree. Last night Hawken told Tom, “Pops, shut da lights off the tree!” Tom was puzzled and asked why he should un-plug it. “Mama says lights on waste electricity!” Tom went into the spirit of Christmas explanation and this was an OK time to let lights on even when we aren’t in room.  Tell us-do u have a real or artificial tree??  We have one of each this year. I always had an artificial tree growing up. Tom likes the real trees. I feel  responsible for our diminished tree farm here. Tom spent days planting Christmas trees 5 year ago. Let me admit-I burnt 86 out of 100  of those trees.  Ugh!  Our burn pile was too close to the Christmas trees.  If we re-plant more Christmas trees-will u come and buy a tree from us??  We’re debating if we should clear a spot to re-plant more. What kind do u want???

Hoppy Hollydaze,

Sue Roskos