What more could a birdchick want? That's Non Birding Bill cuddling up with Cinnamon, aren't they adorable. I'm sure many readers of this blog are relieved that these aren't photos of "Naked Christmas".

Usually we have a "live" tree in our home for Christmas, but this year we decided to nix that idea since I was going to be away for most of December and apart from the rabbits who like to hide underneath it and make a fort out of all the presents, I'm the only one who really enjoys it. NBB did make us a tree out of his fancy stationary though. It reminds me of one of our first years up here when we were super busy for Christmas and didn't have a lot of money. We decided not to have any tree at all and keep the holidays low key.

That Christmas Eve I was driving home from work and I had $15 cash in my pocket. I passed a neighborhood garden store that advertised four foot live trees clearanced for $12. I thought I would surprise NBB with one. I pulled in and asked for a four foot tree. The young man told me that they were out of the four footers but had a few five footers left for $20. I said, "No thanks, I don't have $20." He very haughtily replied with a sneer, "You don't have $20?" Humiliated and disappointed I drove home. I walked in to our apartment and hanging from our ceiling was a beautiful tree made out of all these left over pieces of stationary that NBB uses for letters. The tree came all the way down to the floor. It was the most beautiful tree I had ever seen and I started to cry. NBB hugged me and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry, I thought you would like it, we can take it down." I told him "NO!" and that the reason I was crying was how thoughtful and pretty I thought the tree was and related the experience I had just had at the garden store. We had an O Henry moment and Christmas was saved.

Incidentally, that garden store is no longer in business. I'm sure their customer service skills--or lack thereof had a great deal to do with it.

Merry Christmas!