GrayRider
12-06-2006, 01:43 PM
It started off as a picturesque December morning. The grandsons were ready for the annual Christmas tree adventure. We bundled up and trudged through the snow to the barn to hitch up Betsy, the old mare to the sleigh my great grandfather had crafted. I could see Betsy's breath through her nostrils as she anticipated her favorite yearly chore. The grandsons placed the oat filled feedbag on Betsy as I hitched the sleigh and added the old leather strapping with sleigh bells. Then we were off!
Singing carols we swiftly made our way through the recent snowfall up to the woods where we would find our Holiday treasure. Betsy was at her best as we could see the Thompson children building a snow man over the hill. Their little hands in mittens waved at us as we crested above their house. Wood smoke lazily rising from the chimney of their home made for an almost Norman Rockwell vision. A rabbit cautiously raised his ears from the side of the trail as we passed. Deer tracks were in evidence off to our right and the bark of Mr. Reese's hound could be heard in the distance.
Completing the two mile trip to the top of the hill we instantly saw the prize. A seven foot tall Douglas Fir that would make the perfect addition to our family room for the season. The boys quickly went to work sawing the majestic creation from it's plant in the earth with the two manned saw that had belonged to my uncle. It had performed this hallowed job many times. After securing this beautiful tree to the sleigh, the hot cocoa that the Appalachian Princess had bottled in our thermos was in order. The delicious hot liquid contrasting with the cold Ohio morning caused us to focus on the cookies and pies baking in the oven back at the house, so we hustled to make our way back to the house with our magnificent trophy.
The Appalachian Princess and the granddaughter's eyes were filled with glee as they ran to meet the sleigh approaching the barnyard. Betsy snorted in pride realizing that once again she had been instrumental in accomplishing our task.
How beautiful this tree will look in our home and what joy it'll bring to all that feast their eyes upon it's statuesque addition to our Christmas.
Actually, this story is bunk. I hate snow, and don't like horses. Truthfully, I'll go down to the basement and bring up the artificial tree with the lights already on it. Should only take a few minutes. Then when The AP gets back from babysitting, we'll go get a burrito.
Singing carols we swiftly made our way through the recent snowfall up to the woods where we would find our Holiday treasure. Betsy was at her best as we could see the Thompson children building a snow man over the hill. Their little hands in mittens waved at us as we crested above their house. Wood smoke lazily rising from the chimney of their home made for an almost Norman Rockwell vision. A rabbit cautiously raised his ears from the side of the trail as we passed. Deer tracks were in evidence off to our right and the bark of Mr. Reese's hound could be heard in the distance.
Completing the two mile trip to the top of the hill we instantly saw the prize. A seven foot tall Douglas Fir that would make the perfect addition to our family room for the season. The boys quickly went to work sawing the majestic creation from it's plant in the earth with the two manned saw that had belonged to my uncle. It had performed this hallowed job many times. After securing this beautiful tree to the sleigh, the hot cocoa that the Appalachian Princess had bottled in our thermos was in order. The delicious hot liquid contrasting with the cold Ohio morning caused us to focus on the cookies and pies baking in the oven back at the house, so we hustled to make our way back to the house with our magnificent trophy.
The Appalachian Princess and the granddaughter's eyes were filled with glee as they ran to meet the sleigh approaching the barnyard. Betsy snorted in pride realizing that once again she had been instrumental in accomplishing our task.
How beautiful this tree will look in our home and what joy it'll bring to all that feast their eyes upon it's statuesque addition to our Christmas.
Actually, this story is bunk. I hate snow, and don't like horses. Truthfully, I'll go down to the basement and bring up the artificial tree with the lights already on it. Should only take a few minutes. Then when The AP gets back from babysitting, we'll go get a burrito.