Saturday, December 14, 2013

Stalking The Wild Christmas Tree


On a recent bright and sunny but frigid day we  (me , the wifey, and Big Ray), spent an invigorating hour or so on our almost annual wild Christmas tree hunt. This tradition has been passed down for years through the tangled generational limbs of my family tree and I'm sure that my father and ancestors before him never paid for a Christmas tree. No such concept existed in the old man's consciousness. But I confess that the giving of compensation to someone for a harvested tree is something not alien to me. 

 But not on this frosty morning, during this Christmas season. So with trusty bow saw in hand we hit the trail..
With Big Ray on high alert for new sniffs, critters and any hand movements on Pat's part toward the direction of his kibble pouch, we worked our way down the trail..looking for just the right one. No Charlie Brown tree this year. At least we hoped not.
 In the past we would normally do our tree hunt during bird season  when we could find our fir without the boughs being weighed down with snow. Of course this is a great technique as long as you remember where it was. Somehow they can look different in December then in October.  However we did not do that this year and our search was complicated a bit by the recent snow we had received.

Regardless of the cold temp, coldest of this new winter season,
(so far)
the beauty of the newly fallen snow on the evergreens was undeniable. It's so nice to see green in December.

Finally our choice was made and we were on our way back home with our 2013 Christmas Tree in tow.
Once again the family tradition has been renewed and hopefully there will be at least a few more Christmas seasons to continue to do so.

13 comments:

  1. We enjoy it treee mendously Lester..and thanks for your comment...BTW I just checked out The Ignorant Angler..It's on my "blogs to read" list ..Regards, Mike

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  2. Very nice. It's refreshing to think of your father having no concept of paying for a Christmas tree. There was a time when even Christmas could be simple, and all the better for it.

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    1. He would have been shocked at all the stuff that people pay for nowadays. The older I get the simpler things in life become more and more valuable..thanks for the comment Jim..

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  3. That's one beautiful tradition Mike. Good to see it continue.
    And a beautiful tree.

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    1. Thanks Alan..we love keeping it alive..Nothing like the smell of a fresh fir tree in the house..

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  4. I love it! What a great tradition and so much fun to keep doing. Happy Holidays!

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    1. Thanks Erin..I really enjoy it..and here's hoping you and yours have a great holiday season as well!

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  5. Hi Mike,

    Selecting a Christmas tree in the woods has been a family tradition of mine as well- there is certainly something more meaningful and satisfying to it.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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    1. Hey there Peter! We truly enjoy it. And you're right..it does add more meaning to it..thanks for checking in and Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!

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  6. I've only hunted for a Christmas tree once. I found it in my backyard. What a wonderful tradition.

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    1. Those backyard Christmas trees are handy Howard..we culled out the last one a few years ago..more on the way..thanks for stopping by..

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