Christmas On The Farm, December 21, 2020
This was a busy time of the year for our Family farm of the 1930's and 40's.. Fresh turkeys were our Holiday seasonal "crop". It was a team effort of cleaning and delivering them right up to the the last minute. Dad loaded them into the pick up truck and Mom took them right to the front door in the nearby town.
In the evening of December 24th after all barn chores were done and now nearly dark, either brother Bill or I hiked to the neighboring farm where evergreen trees were growing and with an axe in hand found a tree for us. Unlike today's tree farming, these were often crooked and anything but perfect. At last I would cut one and drag it over the fields to set up in our living room.
It was always placed in the same corner in a container filled with water to keep it fresh. Now the boxes of light bulbs and ornaments brought down from the third floor attic by Mom and sister Peggy were unpacked and excitedly placed upon the tree. It took some time to check all the electric bulbs and replace those burned out. The decorative ornaments were quite old looking, very fragile, but to us had a beauty all their own.
On Christmas morning, the warm glow of thankfulness, a fresh orange and English walnuts in the stocking reminded us that we were all safe and happy.