A Day, Resting in the Arms of Mother Nature
The constant snowfall has finally abated, and with a chance to finally leave the house, Abigail, the children, and myself harnessed up the sleigh, and headed out to find the perfect Christmas tree. This time always means a lot to me. It is a chance for our family to commune with nature and to remember what is really important. We plowed through the snow for close to two hours before we arrived at the edge of the woods. When we stopped we got out to continue on foot. We left Isaac-Albert behind with the sleigh despite his cries of protest. He wanted to "be apart of the family", but we needed someone to keep a lookout for wolves, bears, or native Americans, and Isaac-Albert, considering his condition, is very adapted for a role as a lookout. In fact it is one of the few things he can do without making me cringe.
The remaining four of us set off into the woods to find a tree fit for a Gunstra family Christmas. It was only after an hour and a half did we find it; a great Eastern White Pine. It must have been 60 feet high, centuries old, a survivor of fires and storms. A testament to mother nature. That of course is far to big to fit in our humble home. We cut down the majestic giant, then lopped about six and a half feet off the top to take home leaving the rest lying on the forest floor. If I have a chance, I will eventually come back for the lumber.
From the middle of the tree, I cut a section out to use as a Yule log. It will be burnt throughout the season. When it is gone, the ashes will be force fed to the cows and chickens to ensure their productivity over the next year.
While cutting the Yule log we stumbled upon a family of squirrels, awoken from their winter slumber by the leveling of their home.* They were clearly dazed. Before they could gain their surroundings, Will and I killed each of them. They will make an excellent meal tonight. We also removed a great deal of nuts that had been hoarded in their nest.
With Abigail carrying the log, and Will and Elizabeth dragging our tree, I foraged our path back to the sleigh. It was getting dark when we came to the sleigh. Isaac-Albert lay asleep, shining, frozen tears still on his face. He would have looked angelic if there hadn't been two of him. Unfortunately I'll have to beat him for failing to complete his lookout assignment.
*Squirrels do not hibernate.
The remaining four of us set off into the woods to find a tree fit for a Gunstra family Christmas. It was only after an hour and a half did we find it; a great Eastern White Pine. It must have been 60 feet high, centuries old, a survivor of fires and storms. A testament to mother nature. That of course is far to big to fit in our humble home. We cut down the majestic giant, then lopped about six and a half feet off the top to take home leaving the rest lying on the forest floor. If I have a chance, I will eventually come back for the lumber.
From the middle of the tree, I cut a section out to use as a Yule log. It will be burnt throughout the season. When it is gone, the ashes will be force fed to the cows and chickens to ensure their productivity over the next year.
While cutting the Yule log we stumbled upon a family of squirrels, awoken from their winter slumber by the leveling of their home.* They were clearly dazed. Before they could gain their surroundings, Will and I killed each of them. They will make an excellent meal tonight. We also removed a great deal of nuts that had been hoarded in their nest.
With Abigail carrying the log, and Will and Elizabeth dragging our tree, I foraged our path back to the sleigh. It was getting dark when we came to the sleigh. Isaac-Albert lay asleep, shining, frozen tears still on his face. He would have looked angelic if there hadn't been two of him. Unfortunately I'll have to beat him for failing to complete his lookout assignment.
*Squirrels do not hibernate.
posted by Nathaniel David at 5:22 PM
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