Kevin Drum notes that 72% percent of Americans are now displaying artificial trees at home. One more sign of the declining American character, I suppose. Congress should do something. A heavy tax on artificial trees should do it. The all-powerful tree lobby can't be denied.
Seriously, I have yet to give in to the artificial tree. The past few years we've come up with a new tradition. We drive up to the mountains, and for a measly ten bucks the Forest Service will issue a permit which allows us to cut a tree. The permits are good only in designated places where they want the trees thinned, often in areas adjacent to the big fires of the last few years.
It's a popular activity here in Colorado, so all the best trees near the roads are gone, and we have to hike a ways into the forest, usually through deep snow, to find a better tree.
Better is a comparative term. The tree still winds up looking like something Charlie Brown would have. But it's tall enough to reach our ten-foot ceiling, it's fresh, and it smells great. Plus, like a homely dog the tree has charm all its own.
Posted by Walter at December 25, 2003 02:45 PM