Seems like Christmas (or preparation for Christmas) gets earlier and earlier each year. My wife and I went to pick out Christmas trees at Lowe’s last night. I am very much a Scrooge, but she adores the Christmas season. She was asking me before Halloween if we could hang Christmas lights. At the time I resisted, saying; “We have to wait for after Thanksgiving”. My reasoning to her is that each season needs its proper time and respect. That was a lie, I was just trying to delay the inevitable. She wore me down over the last two weeks. Finally, after the Chiefs late win over the Panthers, I was feeling especially buoyant (and vulnerable). I gave in. We bought a tree. We did compromise on the size of tree though (moral victory). She was looking for a gigantic 12’ artificial tree. I was hoping for a small fern. Instead, we got a 3’ tall Norfolk Island Pine which is probably around 6 months old. I have read they can grow to over 200 ft tall…which could be a huge problem.  I will have to keep it pruned up to keep it inside.  The name implies it is a pine tree but it isn’t, it is a weird Araucariaceae from the sub-tropical island of Norfolk which is way the hell out near Australia.  I was disappointed to find that it is going to have to stay in the house in a large pot because it doesn’t like cold weather. Oh well…would have looked perfect in the backyard. Minor drawback.  Hopefully I’ll be able to keep it alive for several Christmas seasons.   It should be almost perfect: it isn’t going to be too big, isn’t going to shed needles, and I can care for it after the season. I have a green thumb in addition to being a German Hand Tool aficionado. Cross your fingers that I made a good move…