how very grand

i knew i wanted to get a tree this year, but i didn't expect to get it today. my saturday walking buddy and i were out for our usual trek enjoying the particularly clear morning. we had just been talking about how nothing in our lives is wasted and how transformation and renewal come from hard times when i noticed IT. a perfectly good tree on a burn pile. "stand guard for dogs and people with guns and stuff" i shouted back to her as i impulsively trespassed, heading straight for the tree. upon inspection, it was a freshly cut grand fir tree with some minor irreguarities, making it unsellable.

"all clear?" i hollered, dragging it several yards to the road, thankful that it was so early and that we were the only ones out and about. "yep," she laughed, "i'll help you carry it back to your house". so there we were, two women carrying a rather large tree awkwardly down the side of the road. as people passed us in their cars, they did double-takes at this strange sight. "we just stole a christmas tree, you know." "no we didn't," she replied, "we rescued it. a gift for the noticing."

i like the way she thinks. maybe i'll go back to the tree farm (which shall remain anonymous) with cookies or something.