Day 96: In Search of Balls

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 96: In Search of Balls

Christmas is coming and we’re ready for it. The tree is up, and the house is decorated. But oh, what a struggle it has been.

Every year I like to give the Christmas tree a certain theme. Last year it was red and gold balls, the year before blue and silver. For this year I wanted lilac or pink and silver balls but try as I might, nowhere could I find lilac or pink balls.

I tried Walmart, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, even the local Dollar store, but while they had all kinds of beautiful balls, nobody had lilac or pink. I even tried Costco, but they didn’t have any either.

“Try Amazon,” someone suggested. “They have lots of balls.” So I did and I indeed found a variety of lilac and pink balls, but I could only expect delivery in January 2020. Well, that was no good. So the theme of the tree would have to be red and gold again.

We got started by getting the Christmas tree out of the storage unit. Not an easy task as the storage cabinet holds a variety of other stuff: Easter decorations, Halloween decorations, toolboxes, two fans, cat carriers, etc.

When the tree was out and the branches unfolded the decorating could begin: first the lights, then the balls, then the tinsel. All the while, Charlotte, Holly, Halley, and Greyson were keeping an eye on the proceedings. 

 

 

I knew what they were up to, they wanted to touch one of the balls, but that was of course not allowed.

Not that cats care about what is allowed and what is not, they pretty much do what they want. And they did. No sooner was the decoration of the tree completed or Holly (ever the leader of the pack) was going to try something.

Tap, tap, her paw went against a little golden ball. “Eh eh,” I wagged a finger, “mag da?” (translation … is that allowed? Yes, my cats are bilingual). Holly hesitated and put her paw down. No sooner was my back turned or … pong, pong-pong-pong-pong-pong … I heard a ball drop and bounce across the floor.

When I went to check my suspicion was confirmed. Holly had knocked a ball off the tree and was now expertly batting it. I briefly considered taking it away from her, but what would be the point, she would just knock another off the tree. So I let her keep it.

Of course, Holly is not my only cat, I have three others. I had nothing to fear from Charlotte, she’s 15 or 16 years old and is as good as gold, but the same cannot be said from Halley and Greyson. Both of them are under two years old and get up to all sorts of mischief.

Halley was surprisingly well behaved, but Greyson … OMG. Give that him half a chance and he’s up to something. His favorite is biting the branches of the tree and no matter how many times we say “Greyson, no, it’s fake” he doesn’t care.

Oh well, I’m not going to stress over it, after all, it’s only Christmas once a year.

Day 95: Cats and Christmas trees

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 95: Cats and Christmas trees

I can imagine that many of you will want to put up a Christmas tree but do so with a heavy heart. What will the resident cat(s) do to the tree? Will they leave it alone, will those fuzzy little paws play with the balls, or worse, throw the whole tree down?

I’ve seen so many videos of cats climbing in Christmas trees and tipping them over. Most of the times these were small trees, standing on a side table or cabinet. Solution … get a large tree that stands on the floor.

I have four cats and none of them take a particular interest in our Christmas tree. When Holly was a kitten she loved hiding between the branches …

but now as a six-year-old she’s content just to look at the tree. As are the other three.

That’s not to say that they don’t get up to mischief. While the tree is being set up, they’re happy to watch, but after completion, they come into action. They’re attracted to the balls on the lower level of the tree like flies to a pot of jam.

First, they look and then they whack at them like a boxer hits a punch ball. Before long one or several balls hit the floor and then the game is on as they swat the ball across the floor. Fortunately, I’ve got their number and I only put unbreakable balls on the lower level. Let them have their fun. It’s Christmas for everyone.

As for the other Christmas decorations … it can go either way. Some years they pay no attention to the nativity scene and the angels, other years they’re all over them.

Still, they never break anything. Which is what my dad told me a long time ago … never chase a cat. If you don’t chase, she won’t break anything. If you chase, she’ll get stressed, get clumsy and … well, there will be damage. I found this to be true.

Either way, the Christmas season has started.

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Day 94: Oh Christmas tree

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 94: Oh Christmas tree

Although over the years artificial Christmas trees may have come close to resembling the real thing and have a few advantages, nothing can take the place of a real Christmas tree.  The sight and aroma of a real tree creates an atmosphere that is impossible for a fake tree to copy, no matter how lifelike it is.

Perhaps the most popular Christmas tree is the Fraser fir. With its lush dark green needles and strong branches, this tree is ideal for all kinds of decorations and a favorite of families and businesses alike. 

The Colorado Blue Spruce has, as its name implies, bluish-green needles with a slightly powdery appearance.  The needles are about one to three inches long and have been known for exceptional retention.  The Colorado Blue Spruce was once chosen to grace the lawn of the White House.

The Balson fir is loved because of its short, flat, long-lasting needles. However, even though its needles are perfect for decorating, it’s the scent and aroma of the tree that makes it, unlike any other fir. 

Not a real fir but still highly suitable as a Christmas tree is the Douglas fir.  Its branches are not quite as strong as those of the Fraser fir, but are still highly suitable to carry decorative balls and other ornaments. 

The Eastern White Pine is ideal for people allergic to fragrant Christmas trees.  On the upside, the Eastern White Pine gives off no scent at all and retains its needles for weeks.  On the downside, its branches are not as strong as other fir trees.

The White Spruce, although beautiful, is not quite as popular as a Christmas tree because crushed needles can produce a very unpleasant odor. Even though the tree has strong branches, ideal for heavy ornaments, its needle retention is poor.

No matter which tree you prefer, to keep a Christmas tree fresh, take an inch off the butt of the tree and place in a stand that holds at least a gallon of water. Regularly top up the container so that there is always water available.

If the tree still has its roots, he can be planted in the yard. Chose a space with plenty of room for growth as fir trees can grow very tall and very wide.

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