The Holidays

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post! November was very busy and just slipped away from me. We spent the first part up in Michigan, staying with my brother in Saginaw for his birthday (always a great time!) then travelling farther north to Grayling and the Lake House with Dan, Mike and Auki. We had a nice dusting of snow (about four inches) that made for the most wonderful walk in the woods. There is something about snow and woods. The silence is so peaceful, and where their house is, there is no traffic sounds, so I could actually hear the snow falling. Amazing!

Then, of course, it was Thanksgiving. My mom came down for a few days, and it was so nice to have her visit. We mostly just spent time eating (and talking in between mouthfuls), although we did venture out on Black Friday for the first time in about 30 years! We went later in the afternoon and had no trouble finding a parking place or having to wait in line; in fact, the most annoying part was the clerk who said I had to take a plastic bag for my purchase. I don’t usually do so, but he said he’d get in trouble for letting me out the door without a bag, so I let it slide. But other than that, it was a nice few hours shopping. To be honest, I most likely won’t do it again for another 30 years!

Next up on Thursday is getting our tree from the Ohio State Forestry student organization. They do have nice trees from Ohio and freshly cut. I managed to find a few more WWII ornaments at Scott’s Antique Market, but Pete and I are beginning to think that I’ve bought most of them in Ohio! I got some in Findlay that are my favorite: red, white, and blue, and the accordion hanger. As I place them on the tree, I always wonder about the person who originally bought them.

Speaking of history and Ohio State, there are so many trees on campus of significance. For example, there is a massive sycamore in front of Hopkins Hall that is estimated to have been there since before the U.S. Constitution was signed. Another tree near Thompson Library was given to Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and two sycamores, near the football stadium, marked the Underground Railroad trail. Another one of my favorites is a beautiful oak planted in honor of a WWII soldier who died in Normandy. Trees have such history and bring so much to future generations. And I’m thankful to have been a part of that with our arboretum. We’ve left a lasting legacy for future residents of Clintonville for generations to come.

Until next time!