tis the season
I'm not one to rush time, or wish away the days. They pass with sufficient speed on their own.
I get frustrated when I see Halloween decorations in August, or pumpkin spice anything before we are solidly into sweater weather. It seems like the marketing of Christmas continues a steady creep toward mid-year.
However, I can tell you that on our family Christmas tree farm in Kansas, the Christmas season has arrived -- with the bulk of the work to be done before Thanksgiving.
I'm back for a while to help out, and here are some of the jobs on my list (for those curious about tree farm operations):
- Cut ugly trees for greenery (to make wreaths); I know, I shouldn't call them ugly...uniquely beautiful?
- Cut trees for flocking (the stuff that looks like snow) and for wholesale
- Haul trees out of the field
- Shake out each cut tree - needles, dirt, spiders, and old birds nests (there is a machine)
- Put stands on trees for flocking
- Create “the” naughty and nice list (checking to see if you’re still reading)
- Bag apples to sell (my brother also has an orchard)
- Unload trucks with Frasier Fir (600 trees) from North Carolina and Michigan (a variety that won't grow in Kansas)
- Cut a couple inches off the trunk of each Frasier Fir and stand them up in a large pool of water (to keep them fresh)
- Net wholesale trees and load for customers as needed
- Help with office set-up and decorations
- Fill the peanut bin in the office (near the fireplace)
- Put root beer in the walk-in fruit cooler (my addition)
Some unique skills I should consider adding to my resume.
The Christmas season is a lot of work, but it's nice for a change. Fresh air, the smell of pine and fir trees, and the good tired that is the result of manual labor.
Questions about Christmas trees? Ask. Or say hello: jeff[dot]bearblog[at]gmail[dot]com