Here is Vince's incense cedar. This is likely the last year (as well as the first) we can decorate it, as it's getting so big. I've put on three popcorn strings, too. They start out white and puffy, (making it look like a 4th of July tree!) but one night out shrivels the kernels and makes the string look more yellow-beadish. Still, it's pretty and makes me smile.

Then there's the indoor tree. Everything is different this year because of the kittens. The Kit Mahal is over where the tree would be this year, in front of the window. I initially thought of putting it in the back room, but that is full of the potted plants. When we first moved here, that's where the tree was, so that Santa could come before we woke the children for Midnight Mass, and they wouldn't see anything till the next morning. Then we moved it to the living room, either in front of the window or by the wall, for the last 12-15 years or so.
My second thought was to put it in the dining room and move the table, then eat in the living room on the day. However, there's a chandelier in the dining room which would get in the way of the 7-foot tree, and it would be difficult to walk around it and the table. The final solution was the kitchen. We moved the kitchen table to the carport, and cleaned up the recycling and such, and the pantry, and then decided to go for a smaller tree. About 10 years ago we had given artificial trees to the older girls, and Roni gave hers back some years ago. It was borrowed three years ago by one of Vince's friends, but then came back here. (I can hardly wait till Roni gets a real house and I can get her stuff out of here! It's the 4' by 6' painting I'm most eager to have leave!)
Then we needed to get the tree, a 5-footer, a bit taller so it would fit in the kitchen window better, and perhaps stay out of harm's way, that is, kitten's way, a little more. The ideal platform for this is the coffee table my Granddaddy made for my mom in, say, 1950. It's plain but sturdy, but it was also in the back apartment buried under books. I had to go back there and free it and return alive. A difficult assignment, but I did it. I carried it to the kitchen and set the tree on it, and it looks terrific.

This went up Friday, after Rich had gone to the Commissary. Then Saturday we went to a party, and Sunday that concert, so I began to think it would never be decorated. However, when I came back on Monday from tutoring, the tree had its garlands and lights and star on. With the outdoor lights, it looks terrific! The next trick is to decorate it, but not with the eggs, not with the breakable ornaments, and certainly not with the birds.
Them Bad Kitties (tm. Kymm) are circling like sharks. Today I discovered the tree skirt half off, one garland unwound one time around the tree, and another in the dining room, and some of the lights down. Rich went to get some balloons, which he has heard terrify cats. He blew them up and put them around the base of the tree. We'll see. Meanwhile, Fitch sleeps atop the ornament box.

So, the party on Saturday! The SoleMates' annual party includes a gift exchange, and this year we were ready. Back in February, at the Loretto Auction, I'd picked up a basket with a lidded china coffee cup, coasters, candles. Just very frou-frou, and I thought it might be popular. I found a big box and wrapped it nicely. Last week we'd located a tiny light, good for clipping to your belt or finger, even, and reading a map. I found a slightly bigger box and wrapped it as well. I've noticed most of the members go for the BIG gifts, and the last two years my presents have not been well-received.
The food was, as usual, yummy (you note I didn't lose any weight last week?) When we drew numbers, Rich had #10 and I #18, good locations with 23 people. To our delight, the little gift was picked by #1, and the big one by #2. Nobody was stealing for awhile. However, once it started, two gifts were stolen three times and retired, a beautiful can with lottery tickets, and a handheld blender. The can, which was what the original picker really wanted, was given back to her, which I thought was nice. I'd have stolen her second pick so she could get the can back, but I didn't want the candy or whatever it was. There were a lot of food packs this year.
When Rich picked, he got a new gift. It was a Christmas towel and two pot holders, and Angela's Ashes. The Alert Reader will remember that we've had this book. Then I was able to pick. I was really taken by a beautiful blue bowl, but decided I really don't need anything like that, really I don't (the idea is really to get rid of the Stuff, not acquire more). It would have been stolen from me, anyway. So I stole a set of wind chimes which I will give to Sam's placement provider. That'll work.
My basket was stolen once, so we feel like we did well this year. Probably the best present, but one I'm delighted I didn't get, was a picture done by the photographer in the group, matted and ready to hang. It's a poinsettia, and beautiful, but who has room?
So, it was a nice party. Rich is feeling a lot better, able to mostly gripe about his health and be clucked over.