Holiday Greetings to One and All! This time of year, most of us are busy preparing for the holidays.  Below is a “verbal” snapshot of our tree in years past.   This year we’re putting our tree in the flowerbed just outside the front room window.  We’ll be decorating it with popcorn, cranberries, and other treats. Our inside kitties George and Gracie can sit at the window and watch the birds and squirrels – and maybe a raccoon or two – who come to visit.

                                                       Where, but on a Christmas tree, could there be such an array?                                                     

 Nestled in the branches green, a shining orb, a little sleigh.

      See pictures from the years gone by hanging in a frame. 

 While deep within the branches hides an elf without a name.

      High above the common realm, an angel shines on high. 

 Glowing white her wings extended as she seems to fly.

      Bold and brazen stands the pirate, returned now from the sea. 

What an unusual port-of-call  -  shore-leave in a Christmas tree!

    From a wedding decoration, see the bell of silver shine, 

As the twinkling lights climb higher like a Christmas ivy vine.

     Look! There’s a lighthouse and a depot – freshly painted a bright red. 

And a jolly little Santa ‘ppears like us to be well fed.

                                                                                        ‘Round and ‘round like snowflake flurries, popcorn strings bedeck the limbs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Carolers in line are waiting to sing the lovely Christmas hymns.

                                                                                                Straight and stately stands the soldier, poised to beat upon his drum.                                                                                                    Now the tree is all in order – now we say “Let Christmas come!”

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                                                                                Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday, and a Prosperous New Year.

                                                                                                                                              - Mary Nolan Brown -