The Wreath

Saturday afternoon.  I’m driving through Ravena, where I know there’s a flea market.  Flea markets are great diversions on a weekend, and maybe it’s because my Grandma Betty used to take me every weekend to the local flea markets in the greater Boston area, that I’ve developed an affinity for finding treasures in these locales.

And actually, I did find a treasure at the flea market – there was a nice frame that had a cruddy picture in it.  $8 later, I took the cruddy picture out of the frame and threw the picture away – saving the frame for future artwork.  Heck, that frame could end up at Altamont next year, nobody knows…

On the way back home, I stopped at a few locations and took some quick photographs with one of my old cameras.  No, I can’t post any of those pictures in this blog today, I haven’t taken the film to McGreevy Pro Lab for development.  Once I get the film back – sure I’ll post the images in this blog.

And then – as I headed back up Route 9W – I saw it.  A Christmas tree farm.  Along with wreaths and kissing balls.  Ha ha, Merry Christmas and off I go down Route 9W –

Wait a minute.  Why am I applying the brakes on my car?  Why am I signaling for a left turn?  Why am I doing any of this?

Because something inside me said, “Chuck, you need to get some holiday decorations for your place.”

Background.

I moved to my apartment in the Town and Village (my colloquial nickname for Green Island) in 2010.  Believe me, I was going through a lot in my life.  In 2010, the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate ANYTHING.  In fact, I spent Christmas morning by taking pictures under a bridge in Rensselaer.  Yeah… not exactly the best way to spend the holidays.

2011 wasn’t much better for me.  In fact, the only solace I received that holiday year was that I successfully photographed a meteor over the Great Sacandaga Lake on Christmas Eve.  Again… great moment for sure, but not exactly along the same lines as a true holiday experience.

I went through 2012, which was probably one of my most emotionally wrenching years.  Even with all that… I couldn’t find the holiday spirit.  I sent some cards and some gifts, heck I received this awesome afghan from blog reader Pat DeWolfe… but once again, the holiday spirit eluded me.

But on that chilly Saturday night, as I looked through the various trees and wreaths at the tree farm, I thought to myself.  “Chuck,” I thought, “Why are you doing this to yourself again this year?  With all the great things that happened in 2013 – the art show, the photo awards, and most importantly Nicole – maybe it’s time for you to celebrate the holidays.”

Okay…

Right off the bat, a tree is out of the question.  There’s no way I can get one of those things hauled into my apartment.

Kissing balls?  Nah.  I’d rather get some gazing balls than some kissing balls.

But what about these wreaths over here?  There were a few left…  And this one looks like it could use a new home.

One of the attendants at the tree farm was bailing up a purchased tree.  “How much for the wreath?” I asked.

“My boss is just arriving, he can take care of you.”

“No problem, I’ll wait for him.”

The boss arrived a few moments later.  I purchased the wreath – as well as a red metal hook – and put my new purchases in the back seat of the Blackbird.

I arrived back at the Town and Village.  Would the red hook fit over my front door?  Why yes it did.  And then… I hung the wreath.

Looks nice, eh?

And yeah, the wreath left a few needles in the back seat of my car.  No big deal.  Heck, it keeps me from having to go to Yankee Candle and getting one of those “car jar” fragrance capsules.  Nothing wrong with some original aromas of the holiday season.

I posted the picture on Facebook.  And my FB friends “liked” it.

Am I ready for Christmas this year?

Maybe this year… I am.

At least my front door thinks it’s Christmas.