Forever Young Again

WHERE ALL'S ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS
At the Portrait Studio:
Sears ~ Summer 2012 & Penney's ~ December 2014

"There are many things in life. You're very young," said Ralph.
"I feel very old," said Isabel.
"You'll grow very young again. . . ."

Henry James ~ from Portrait of a Lady, 1881
(Chapter 54, p 471)

MUSICAL CONNECTIONS
1. from "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel
Once I thought my innocence was gone;
Now I know that happiness goes on . . . (1983)

2. from "Oh Very Young" by Cat Stevens, aka Yusuf Islam
Oh very young, What will you leave us this time?
You're only dancing on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your daddy's best jeans
Denim blue fading up to the sky

And though you want him to last forever
You know he never will
You know he never will
And the patches make the goodbye harder still

Oh very young, what will you leave us this time?
There'll never be a better chance to change your mind
And if you want this world to see a better day
Will you carry the words of love with you?
Will you ride the great white bird into heaven?

And though you want to last forever
You know you never will
You know you never will
And the goodbye makes the journey harder still . . . (1974)

3. from "Love is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar
We are young
heartache to heartache we stand
No promises, no demands
Love is a battlefield
We are strong
No one can tell us were wrong
Searchin' our hearts for so long . . . (1983)

4. from "Forever Young" by Alphaville
Youth's like diamonds in the sun,
And diamonds are forever

So many adventures given up today,
So many songs we forgot to play.
So many dreams swinging out of the blue
Oh let it come true.

Forever young,
I want to be forever young.
Do you really want to live forever,
Forever, and ever? (1984)

5. from "We Are Young" by Fun, featuring Janelle Monae
Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun (2011)

6. "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young. (1974)

7. "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart
May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave

And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
with a prince or a vagabond
And may you never love in vain

And in my heart you will remain
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young

And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell
But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose

Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young (1988)

*****************************
Two weeks (and one leap day!) ago, my post for the 14th, featured a series of Duets recommended by my older son Ben. Since then, my younger son Sam has suggested "Young Again" by Hardwell: "This is an 'EDM' song, but more melodic than most. I think you will enjoy."

Sam was right. I loved the melody and the lyrics, which brought to mind all of the above snippets from so many previous favorites. I kept wandering from one connection to the next, arriving ultimately at "Forever Young."

I guess one doesn't have to be very old to yearn for an earlier, more carefree time. After all, Hardwell himself is only 28, and Sam is even younger! I hope they will feel young again; better yet, I hope they will feel young now, because -- guess what? -- they are young! But I know what they mean. The obligations pile up; the duties and responsibilities seem to completely overshadow those faraway times of unstructured simplicity and creativity. And what's the best way to capture that nostalgia? A song, of course! Here is Hardwell's reminiscence that Sam so kindly recommended for his old parents:

"Young Again" by Hardwell
When I was a boy
I dreamed of a place
in the sky
Playing in the fields
Battling with my shields
Bows made out of twine

I wish I could see this
world again
through those eyes
See the child in me
in my fantasy
Never growing old

Will we ever feel young again
Will we ever feel young again
Will we ever feel young again

We wanna feel young
We wanna feel young again

When I was a boy
I searched for a world
that's unknown
All we have is fun
everybody runs
until the sun goes down

I wish I could see this
world again
through those eyes
See the child in me
in my fantasy
Never growing old

Will we ever feel young again
Will we ever feel young again
Will we ever feel young again

You wanna feel young
You wanna feel young again (2015)

In addition to Hardwell,
Sam also sent an enthusiastic recommendation for Armin:

Letter From Sam:

"Mom and Dad -- I tried to pick my favorite Armin song, but no man, woman or child could ever hope to accomplish such a daunting task.

As such, I will be offering you a spread of my favorite Armin songs in this week's EDM Update email.

Disclaimer: When listening to Armin, you don't just listen to music, but you enter a #StateOfTrance

His most famous song: "This Is What It Feels Like"

Current most famous song: "Strong Ones"

My current favorite: "Heading Up High"

His Entrance Song (very similar to Dad's March Song) -- this was my favorite for a long time. It is 7 minutes, but I highly recommend. Dad I think you will very much enjoy this one: "Embrace"

His Closing Song: "Looking For Your Name"

Enjoy!! (not necessary, I know you will)"

~~ THANKS SAM! ~~
SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS FOR MY
Next Fortnightly Post
Monday, March 14th

Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT ~ "Millennials & Music"
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com

Looking for a good book? Try
KITTI'S LIST ~ "Climb Inside and Live There"
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogspot.com

Duets

WHERE ALL'S ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS
At the Algonquin, New York City

At a party a few years ago, Gerry got distracted when he was supposed to be getting drinks for us. It was a big crowd, and I couldn't really see where he was, and it took him ages to get back, and he stopped off to visit with various other guests along the way; and in the meantime, the woman I was chatting with had already been brought a glass of wine by her husband, and I was feeling forgotten about.

When Gerry finally turned up with some lukewarm drinks, I pouted, "You are a very bad boyfriend."

With great gallantry he responded, "But I am a very good husband!" I thought that was the sweetest thing ever and it made me laugh so much because it was so romantic and so true!

"If I forgot who I am,
Would you please remind me oh?
Cause without you things go hazy . . . "

SOME DUETS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
~~ Thanks Reggie! ~~
"Hazy" ~ Rosi Golan & William Fitzsimmons

"Merci" ~ Emmanual Moire & Claire Joseph

"The Next Time I Fall" ~ Peter Cetera & Amy Grant

"Anyone Else But You" ~ from Juno

"You Don't Know Me" ~ Ben Folds & Regina Spektor

"Can't Help Falling In Love" ~ Katharine McPhee & Andrea Bocelli

"Sky" ~ Joshua Radin & Ingrid Michaelson (and "Star Mile")

"Just Give Me a Reason" ~ Pink & Nate Ruess

"Duet" ~ Rachael Yamagata

"Last Night of the World" ~ Lea Salonga & Will Chase, from Miss Saigon

"Two People" ~ Robby Hecht & Caroline Spechter

MY SUGGESTIONS
"A Whole New World" ~ Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle
~ from Aladdin ~
"Tonight I Celebrate My Love for You" ~ Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack

"Love & Happiness" ~ Emmylou Harris & Mark Knopfler
I didn't know this song until I heard Emmylou sing it live in Portland, Oregon, in 2008; but if I'd known it when Ben & Sam were little, I would have sung it to them all the time!
"Gulf Coast Highway" ~ Emmylou & Willie Nelson
A love song for old people.
"Wild Montana Skies" ~ Emmylou & John Denver Not exactly a love story
but an inspiring duet of good cowboy lyrics and life lessons.
"Dream A Dream" ~ Charlotte Church & Billy Gilman
Based on "Pavane, Opus 50" by Gabriel Fauré.
This duet appears on Charlotte's Christmas album (December 2000).
Waltz for Eva & Che ~ Madonna & Antonia Banderas
Also so my book blog
"They Were You" ~ Matt & Luisa
From The Fantasticks -- stage version, not the bad movie!

GER'S ADDITION
"Reg, your mother told me about your Valentine Day project.
This isn’t a duet but its about a duet.
I’ve included the lyrics, you’ll need them."

"Lucky Number" ~ Lena Lovich

I never used to cry 'cause I was all alone
For me, myself and I is all I've ever known
I never felt the need to have a hand to hold
In everything I do I take complete control
That's where I'm coming from
My lucky number's one

I've everything I need to keep me satisfied
There's nothing you can do to make me change my mind
I'm having so much fun
My lucky number's one
Ah! Oh! Ah! Oh!

I now detect an alien vibration here
There's something in the air besides the atmosphere
The object of the action is becoming clear
An imminent attack upon my heart I fear
The evidence is strong
My lucky number's wrong
Ah! Oh! Ah! Oh!

Something tells me my lucky number's gonna be changing soon
Something tells me lucky number's gonna be oweoweoweoweoweowe...

You certainly do have a strange effect on me
I never thought that I could feel the way I feel
There's something in your eyes gives me a wild idea
I never want to be apart from you my dear
I guess it must be true
My lucky number's two

This rearrangement suits me now I must confess
The number one was dull and number two is best
I wanna stay with you
My lucky number's two
Ah! Oh! Ah! Oh!

SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS FOR MY
Next Fortnightly Post
Sunday, February 29th ~ LEAP DAY!

Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT ~
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com

Looking for a good book? Try
KITTI'S LIST
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogspot.com

Poetry in Limestone & Steel

WHERE ALL'S ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS

"East Side, West Side,
all around the town . . .
We tripped the light fantastic
on the sidewalks of New York . . . "
Hard to believe that it has been over a month since our holiday visit to New York City, including such highlights as Lessons and Carols at St. Thomas Church, Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the Imax on 34th Street, and Christmas Dinner at the Algonquin. I think the trick to enjoying some of the classic attractions might be to come earlier in the season -- perhaps right after Thanksgiving; or later in the seaon -- like shortly after New Year's. During our stay (22 - 26 December), the crowds were just too intense to get a good look at the department store window displays or the skaters at Rockefeller Center. I'm usually one to relish an urban scene, but the human density was over my limit.

I was lucky to get a more user - friendly, twenty - four hour reprise in late January. While it was a little too late in the season for all the highlights and festivities, there were still lots of ice - skaters, twinkle lights, wreaths, and even trees (not all were tossed out on the Twelfth Day of Christmas!) to lift the spirits There was no shortage of action but still room to breathe. The weather was also more seasonable this time, with remnants of last week's snow strewn about, rather than the pouring rains and oddly balmy near - 70 degree temps of Christmas week.

You can see a bit of snow here in Madison Square Park, where I stopped by to admire the World War I Memorial and the Flatiron Building . . .

. . . of which Mark Twain once wrote: "I was thinking of securing this as a winter residence, but had to give up the idea, because the rent was higher than the house."

Twain also referred to the Flatiron Building as a way of understanding British humor: " 'The English don't deserve their reputation,' insisted Mr. Clemens. 'They are as humorous a nation as any in the world. Only humor, to be comprehensible to anybody, must be built upon a foundation with which he is familiar. If he can't see the foundation the superstructure is to him merely a freak - like the Flatiron building without any visible means of support - something that ought to be arrested.' "

from The New York Times, November 26, 1905
Contemporary writer April Lindner (YA novelist) calls the Flatiron "poetry in limestone." It is easy to see the poetics of the Flatiron Building as well as the Empire State and the Chrysler. Coincidentally, here are a couple of stirring passages describing both of these landmarks in terms of their poetic beauty:

The Empire State Building at Christmas

"I was pleasantly surprised to find the Empire Building so poetical. . . . passionate skill, arduous and fearless idealism. The tallest building is a victory of imagination. . . .

"What did I 'see and hear' from the Empire Tower? As I stood there 'twixt earth and sky, I saw a a romantic structure wrought by human brains and hands that is to the burning eye of the sun a rival luminary. I saw it stand erect and serene in the midst of storm and the tumult of elemental commotion. I heard the hammer of Thor ring when the shaft began to rise upward. I saw the unconquerable steel, the flash of testing flames, the sword-like rivets. I heard the steam drills in pandemonium. I saw countless skilled workers welding together that mighty symmetry. I looked upon the marvel of frail, yet indomitable hands that lifted the tower to its dominating height.

"Let cynics and supersensitive souls say what they will about American materialism and machine civilization. Beneath the surface are poetry, mysticism and inspiration that the Empire Building somehow symbolizes. In that giant shaft I see a groping toward beauty and spiritual vision. I am one of those who see and yet believe."

Helen Keller, January 1932

Grand Central Station & The Chrysler Building

"New York's most glorious skyscraper, its art deco eagles poised for flight, is a timeless work of Jazz Age poetry in steel. . . . Architects, who have both intuition and training on their side, have some very good reasons for loving the Chrysler Building. The rest of us love it beyond reason, for its streamlined majesty and its inherent sense of optimism and promise for the future, but mostly for its shimmery, welcoming beauty — a beauty that speaks of humor and elegance in equal measure . . . How can a mere building make so many people so happy . . . You could also look at [the] erection of that spire in November 1929, less than a month after the stock market took its horrifying plummet, as a brashly hopeful gesture.

"Looking at the Chrysler Building now, though, it’s hard to argue against its stylish ebullience, or its special brand of sophisticated cheerfulness. . . . I love looking up at the Chrysler Building from somewhere close to its base — to see the way its glistening silver decorations, including ornaments shaped like radiator caps, seemingly appear out of nowhere against the building’s simple white expanse. And beyond those radiator caps, beyond the ready-for-flight eagles, the crown is the most glorious decoration of all. Against the newly altered New York skyline, the glow of that crown seems more hopeful than ever. Eternally poised for takeoff, the Chrysler Building is always pointed toward the future. It’s a building that never looks back."

Stephanie Zacharek, February 2002

SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS FOR MY
Next Fortnightly Post
Sunday, February 14th

Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT ~ "Sunrise, Sunset"
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com

Looking for a good book? Try
KITTI'S LIST
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogspot.com

And Enjoy More NYC Photos

Perfect Twins: Going Out, Coming In

ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS

Delilah Pierce: Twins, 1952

As I've mentioned before on my Quotidian blog,
I love it when Barbra Streisand sings:

Everything
I want to learn what life is for
I don’t want much, I just want more
Ask what I want and I will sing
I want everything (everything) . . .

I’d like to have the perfect twin
One who’d go out as I came in
I’ve got to grab the big brass ring
So I’ll have everything (everything) . . .
written by Randy Scruggs & Nikki Williams
sung by Barbra Streisand
The fact is, I do have the perfect twin, perfect in his own way. Yet, like Streisand, I've often wished for a doppelganger, a double - goer, making it possible for me to work twice as hard and play twice as long and never sleep and stay caught up with all y chores and tasks and goals and plans and expectations. One who'd go out when I came in!

Entirely without meaning to -- and not just because I'm a Gemini! -- that's what I began to see last month when I visited The Maryland Artist Collection in the University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center. As I glanced around the UMUC Art Gallery, twins and doubles were everywhere I looked. It's not as if the exhibit was billed as one of twinned images and double - goers; it was just an amazing coincidence!

And a timely coincidence to contemplate in January, the month of double vision! Inadvertently, these artworks invoke Janus, the Roman god of doors, choices, beginnings and endings, with two faces, one facing forwards and one facing backwards, representing time, looking into the past with one face and into the future with the other (Click For More). Could that be what lies behind the mesmerizing tendency of each of these artists to double up? Take a look:

Twin Portraits

Twin Models

Megan O'Brien: Contours and Elevations, 1995

Twin Photographs

Linda Harrison - Parsons, Tarnished Memories, 1994

Twin Jokers

Kay McCrohan: Nobody's Fool, 1997

Twin Skeletons

Gordon Fluke: Cherry Ames, Red Cross Nurse, 1994

Twin Vases

Susan Goldman: Explosion, 1998

Twin Lanterns

Gladys Goldstein: Day Lantern, not dated

Twin Artists

Herman Maril: Duet, 1973

Twin Boats

Herman Maril: Sunday at the Docks, 1938

Twin Chairs

Herman Maril: Kitchen, 1976; Vase and Lilies, 1970

Twin Trees

Delilah Pierce: Great Giants, 1974; Giant Nature's Splendor, 1982

And the best thing about my day at this exhibit?
Being able to enjoy it with my sister and her family:
Triplets: Dan, Brit, Peg!

SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS FOR MY
Next Fortnightly Post
Thursday, January 28th

Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT ~ Delilah Williams Pierce
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com

Looking for a good book? Try
KITTI'S LIST
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogspot.com

Follow - Up ~ December 2016

Medellin, Colombia

A Story About a Snowman

WHERE ALL'S ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS

"I remember that winter because it had brought the heaviest snow that I had ever seen. Snow had fallen steadily all night long, and in the morning I woke in a room filled with light and silence. The whole world seemed to be held in a dream-like stillness. It was a magical day, and it was on that day I made the snowman."

Opening narration from The Snowman ~ animated movie*
based on the book by Raymond Briggs ~ music by Howard Blake

The building of this snowman by Ben and Sam in early December 2002 began with one of the best things that can happen when you're in 4th grade (Sam) or 7th grade (Ben) -- an unexpected snow day! First of all came the cocoa and marshmallows, calling friends and making plans. Next thing you know, the doorbell rang to announce the timely arrival of a package from my sister Peg. I emailed her right away to let her know that her present to the boys had been safely delivered and placed under the tree. She emailed right back to say, "No, don't wait 'til Christmas; let them open it now."

What an excellent coincidence! Inside the gift box was a Lands' End snowman building kit, including all the accessories that you can see here in the picture: eyes, nose, pipe, scarf, buttons. As soon as our snowy gentleman was built and properly outfitted, it was time for a photo session. These were the early days of digital photography for our family; and how fun it was to be able to email Auntie Peg a picture of the completed snowman so she could see how her gift had been put to immediate use!

Such a charming sequence of events: the day off from school, the UPS man, the emails back and forth to Peg, the boys running outside right away, and within the hour a photo of their completed creation to send as an electronic thank - you, closing the circle that had begun only a few days earlier with my sister picking out clever winter presents and placing orders. After all these years, that happy morning still plays like a little movie in my head, a memory to re-visit once a year, hoping for a snow day.

Photographs by Ben McCartney, 2002
In our tiny, walled back garden,
downtown Philadelphia

Peg bought the same snowman building kit
for her sons Jerrod & Daniel;
assembled during the same snow season, in Maryland
SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS FOR MY
Next Fortnightly Post
Thursday, January 14th

Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT ~ Christmas Shomily
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com

Looking for a good book? Try
KITTI'S LIST ~ "Would you like anything to read?"
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogspot.com

*If you like the book / movie, you'll love the puffy "Snowman"

A Story About a Tree

A HOUSE WHERE ALL'S ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS

Twenty - second Incarnation of the Kmart Tree
Still Going Strong After 20 Years!

2014 ~ Treetop Detail
Bertie Bassett ~ The Liquorice Allsorts Man

A Couple of Connections:

First, thanks to my friend Nikki for sharing with me this fabulous book from her family's collection:

Flair Annual 1953
And more thanks to Nikki for her kind comments after reading my previous post "Be As Brave As Sharon Olds." I appreciated her observation that "the connections are always good, but what's better is when you tell a story! Tell more stories!"

2. Second, speaking of stories, I read Christmas on Jane Street right after Thanksgiving and was summarizing it over the phone for my son Sam. When I suggested that we could pay a visit to the corner of 8th Avenue and Jane Street to see this famous New York City Christmas Tree Stand, Sam, ever the skeptic, and master of the literary allusion, replied: "Mom, sounds like you've been reading a story about a tree." Haha, Sam!

So, at the risk of being a Buzz Killington, I'm going to take Nikki's advice and tell you a story -- a story about a tree.

The first Christmas that we lived in Philadelphia (1993), it didn't occur to me that we wouldn't do what we had done the year before back in Indiana: go to the nearest grocery store on the day after Thanksgiving and buy a tree right out front, chosen from a large selection of live cut evergreens leaning against the plate glass windows. Surprisingly, it was not to be. We drove out to Pathmark bright and early, but where were the trees? "What trees?" the grocery clerk replied. "We don't sell Christmas trees."

Where then? We tried a nearby produce market; no luck. We returned home to ask some neighbors on the street. Of course, many were out of town for Thanksgiving weekend, yet we gleaned what information we could: one family would be driving to Vermont, or something like that, later in the month to chop down their own tree (over - achievers). Another family claimed they never put up a Christmas tree (Bah, humbug!). I was growing despondent. My sister Peg and her family were driving up from Maryland to visit us in Philadelphia for the first time, and my planned Black Friday activity was tree - decorating. But still no tree.

My husband Gerry had an idea. He remembered seeing a small tree nursery across the street from Kmart, a few miles away, outside the city limits. When Peg and her husband Ron arrived, Gerry and Ron would drive down and see what they could find. They did so; and, what to their wondering eyes should appear but a huge truckload of Christmas trees, stacked and netted, "bound into tight versions of themselves for easy travel," (Romp, 10). Success at last you might think; that was not so hard after all! There was, however, a catch. The nursery personnel did not know the going rate for trees that year. The truck had to be unloaded and each tree receive its price tag before sales to customers could officially begin.

"Are you sure?" Gerry asked. "Just name a price, any price, and we will pay that for the tree." This labor of love had become a full - fledged quest, and he did not want to return home empty - handed. But, no, said the clerk, that would be against the rules. Could they return in a few hours? Okay, it was only a fifteen - minute drive, five miles or so. They would make another trip, later in the day.

The hours passed quickly enough, and off went the woodchoppers on foray number two -- only to find that the manager had not come in that afternoon, the trees had not been tagged, and all purchases must be put on hold until the following day. The trees, plainly visible on the bed of the truck, were not to be had at any price. But these men of action were not to be deterred. Daylight had faded, and the neon lights of Kmart beckoned from across the Baltimore Pike.

Maybe it wasn't like a scene from Norman Rockwell or When Harry Met Sally,



but no tree could have been more anticipated or appreciated than the seven - foot storage box that Gerry and Ron carried through our front door that evening, some assembly required. But never mind, we were proud to place it our front entry and it went up quickly. The following year, we put it on the sleeping porch adjoining Sam (in photo, age 15 months) and Ben's bedrooms because that's where we spent many hours and they could enjoy it most:

1993 ~~~ 1994

When I decided a few years later (1998) that I needed a second tree, my dear husband was ready once again to undertake the mission. This time, no need to try the produce stands or tree nurseries, for I had become a true believer in the decorative attributes of an artificial tree, primarily because they provide so much more strength and versatility when it comes to hanging heavy ornaments and reshaping branches to suit a particular arrangement of baubles. Instead of driving randomly around the Delaware Valley, Gerry did the ground - work by phone and located a Sears at a Mall north of town that claimed to have 9 foot trees in stock. Many of the stores seemed to be topping out at 7 feet, but I already had one of those and was keen to extend the reach of my tree collection. Malls were not typically our scene, but Gerry was game, so away he went in our one - horse open sleigh (i.e., 1995 Oldsmobile Station Wagon) for a jolly expedition of tree procurement.

Was the tree at Sears as promised? Yes, but there was only one and it was already assembled, standing in undecorated glory on the showroom floor; and the packing boxes no longer existed. But if Gerry was willing to go out to the loading dock and scrounge around in the recycling for some large boxes and personally remove and repack each branch, then he was welcome to purchase the tree. Naturally, Clark Griswold style, Gerry was equal to the task. We need a tree? He'll get us a tree! "Fixed the newel post!"

Our usual parking spot was on the side street, but for easier access through the front door with several large boxes, Gerry parked right at the corner. As luck would have it, in the few moments in between multiple trips from car to house, we received a parking ticket! Happy Holidays from the City of Philadelphia! Could the officer not see that this vehicle is stuffed with Christmas decorations that are being removed as quickly as possible? Had he no patience or mercy or humor or Christmas Spirit? No, Virginia, he had not. Bah, humbug!

Not to worry! No one could rain on our parade that day. We put the new nine - footer in the second floor turret window (below left) and the seven - footer in the third floor turret window (below right), covered them both with ornaments -- including this handmade series from our multi - talented neighbors Doris & Denis --

and were very happy with the results:
[Look closely on the right to see Ben (L) and Sam (R)
peeking out from behind the tree!]

I know all about the sentimental premium attached to a live tree, and even better if that live tree has been picked out personally from a tree farm, local or distant, and chopped down with an ax. For me, though, nothing can beat the affection that went into acquiring our two artificial trees. Those memories are with me every year as we drag the boxes out and erect our enduring symbols of light and life and hope and fun.

But wait . . . there's more! At the beginning of Ben's third year of college (2010), he and his friends had a successful day of curbside trash - picking: a bookshelf, a chair, a couple of suitcases, and -- "For you, Mom!" -- a Christmas tree. Ben pulled it into the sunroom, and we put it together right away to make sure that all the pieces were intact. It didn't seem to be a recent student discard but rather a vintage 1987 Fake Douglas Fir, complete with its own original brochure -- like ours, over twenty years old, but still in fine shape, discarded, perhaps, by a family who was reverting to the wild or replacing with a twenty - first century pre - lit model. Once we had it up, it seemed a shame to take it back down, what with the holiday season only three months away, so we decorated it for fall with harvest miniatures and Halloween cookie cutters. At Thanksgiving we changed it over to Christmas and finally put it away sometime shortly after the Valentine Dance:

February 2011

Continued thanks to Ben, Gerry, and Ron for bringing these trees into my life and giving me a story to tell -- a story about trees! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, whether you be regally real or proudly pretend, your green shall ever teach me!

The Big Tree ~~ in 2014 ~~ The Sunroom Tree

SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS FOR MY
Next Fortnightly Post
Monday, December 28th

Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT ~ Fake Trees & Gift Books
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com

Looking for a good book? Try
KITTI'S LIST ~ "Would you like anything to read?"
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogspot.com