2 days forward, 1 day back.
And that’s not really what folks mean when they talk about Christmas Lists.
Since that picture, we think we solved the problem. At some point today we noticed the list. The tree had been up for more than 36 hours before it decided to lean. Maybe it was trying to watch the Premier League soccer game on the telly. We realigned the trunk, and I tightened the bolts more to the tree trunk. All was good for about an hour, at which point the list returned. Because mere tightening had not worked, we decided to do the opposite, loosen everything and start over. As I loosened the last bolt the tree dropped about an inch. Apparently we had not seated it on the base. So far the tree is still vertical, and lacking ornaments.
Since we missed the Green Lake Luminaria last night, we walked that direction today. Really just to complete a few shopping errands. First stop, Starbucks. Love them or hate them, they make a really good Christmas Blend. We got our first bag of the season today.
Next up was the neighborhood hipster grocery store, PCC. For steak. Not a normal food for us, but a 2 for 1 coupon lured us in.
On the short walk between our destinations, we were behind an older gentleman wearing headphones. He dropped his hat, which we picked up. I am not sure what he was listening to, but I had to basically get in front of him with his hat in my hand to get him to stop. He was appreciative and set off again, with us still following. And he dropped his hat, again. I think it was falling out of a pocket. We picked it up again, and caught up to him again, returning the hat. We did not follow him through the store, but I hope the hat made it home again. For a moment, we thought he was trying to get rid of a hat, but it was a nice Patagonia hat.
What an exciting life we lead. And for that we are very grateful.
Raincharm's Weblog 
December 11, 2023 at 8:15 am |
At least the tree wasn’t fully decorated, before the list happened. Although if it was all done, I might have gone with a cup hook under the mantel shelf and a bungie cord. Of course, we already have cup hooks under the mantle.
December 11, 2023 at 8:23 am |
And when I watered last night I found the plastic stand insert was on its side, not under the tree, accounting for the drop. I just let it be, unless it starts tipping again.
December 11, 2023 at 7:43 pm |
Since I often get a small tree but with a large trunk, I often need to use shims–which is a nightmare. Add to that a curious cat. Glad that the tree is now “planted.”
December 12, 2023 at 8:53 am |
When the kids were little, we branched out from Chubby and Tubby trees, which always had tiny trunks, to the school lot. That was the year we couldn’t fit the trunk into the tree stand. The next day we bought the behemoth we have today. It’s heavy enough to withstand many things, like climbing cats, rest their souls, and we have yet to get a tree that doesn’t fit.