Down Comes The Giving Tree

My tree decorator and dismantler has disappeared.  Actually he has a bad case of the flu bug, and I decided that catching the flu from him would be far worse than taking my tree down by myself.  Or at least a toss-up.  So yesterday I found a couple of young guys to climb my 25 foot ladder and take down the giant parasol, numerous sea creatures, glittered seaweed, and other paraphernalia hanging from my ceiling. I decided to keep all the birds and owls hanging on their branches for the pure whimsical quality that they add to my living room.  You can't help but smile when you look up at these magical, glorious winged ones.  I am convinced that these are the only birds that could ever co-exist in my home with eleven cats.

Taking the tree down was somewhat anti-climatic, most likely because my friend and his entourage weren't here to add more than a little chaos to the household.  Life at Paradise Ranch seems relatively tame with no crowds, late nights, or red dye number one food.

One thing that slowed the process of dismantling my tree is that many of the oversized plastic bins that housed my Christmas supplies have disappeared.  It is tough to put decorations away when you have no containers for storage.  Perhaps these have disappeared into the same abyss where my socks, gloves, underwear and other sundries have gone.  Who knows?

Except for the flying leap that I took from the hallway to the living room, landing on my knee and shoulder and ending up at the chiropractor's office, no other casualties have occurred.  My animals are bored with the tree and are hoping for another event that might call for tissue paper, ribbon, food, and moving parts with which to play.

In retrospect, as crazy as the process was, I loved my tree!  And the best part of dismantling it was giving away all the dog and cat paraphernalia that decorated it.  In the dismantling, my holiday tree became "the giving tree".  I originally put my own dogs' leashes, collars, and toys on the tree, but that was a mistake.  My three dogs cried when they could see their leashes hanging from tree branches but weren't being taken for walks.  What were their walking accoutrements doing on a tree and not on them?  Would they ever go for a walk again?  They freaked seeing untouchable toys, leashes, and dog biscuits hanging in their living room.  So I put plan B into action, and headed to discount stores to buy new leashes, fancy doggie bag containers, collars, and halters.  The ones I found must have come from Dallas, Memphis, or locations where Dolly Parton shops;  they were total glitter and rhinestones!  Now my animals and friends' animals are all wearing bling!

(click on photos to enlarge)

Here is a picture of my friend holding Miss Daisy, the proud recipient of a new Zebra leash and matching poop bag container. The second photo is of Mr. Bodhi Kenny wearing his new red leather collar from the Christmas tree.

Of course I didn't forget the cats.  For them I had balls of yarn weaving through the tree like garland.  There were also many cat toys,  glittery paper balls, and a few leashes.  My cats weren't as moved by the display because they have no concept of a cat leash.  And to them, any Christmas tree with hanging ornaments and tinsel is exciting and worthy of curiosity.

In dismantling the tree, I couldn't help but think ahead to next year.  I am envisioning no particular theme, but an eclectic Christmas with my favorite decorations throughout the years.   One thing is for sure, and you can hold me to this.  No matter what my A.D.D decorator friend promises, there will be no entourage at my home into the wee hours of the night.  In fact, if he offers to decorate my living room and tree again, I will politely decline and quickly change the subject!!!!

Happy 2012 to all of my two-legged and four-legged friends!