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Emily Walls Ray's avatar

Christine,

I agree. All the perfection puts distance from it and the life I’m privileged to live. Btw, my favorite homemade ornaments, a tradition following my parents’, is to grow okra, then paint the dried husk gold, dip it in gold glitter, and enjoy. I give them as gifts. My friend’s little dog likes to eat them, so she hangs them high! Best wishes, Emily Walls Ray, author of TRSCJS FROM TUSCALOOSA. I loved your first book! Looking forward to more!📚

Christine Gunderson's avatar

What a brilliant idea! They sound beautiful :-) My dog would also love them :-) And thank you so much for reading Friends :-) I'm supposed to be writing this week, but like everyone else in America, am running to HomeGoods and the post office instead :-)

Emily Walls Ray's avatar

Haha! My book title without typos is Tracks from Tuscaloosa. See you at Home Goods!

Christine Gunderson's avatar

It sounds wonderful! I love the title :-)

Kathryn Craft's avatar

Thanks for the laughs, Christine! I was one of five children and the only one who gave a hoot about the Christmas tree, so my Dad and I would go in search of just the right one, resulting in my most significant one-on-one time with him and a lot of great stories. Your imperfect tree reminded me of them. Merry Christmas!

Christine Gunderson's avatar

That sounds like a beautiful tradition! And I'm sure the rest of the family appreciated your efforts :-) Every year I say I'm only putting up one, yet every year they expand and spread across the house, like decorative invasive weeds :-)

Novels, Nibbles, & Nuances's avatar

My husband and I have differing opinions on what should go on our trees. He wants the glittery balls in pastel colors. I like the old school crafts made of popsicle sticks. Our tree is a combination of both and is a reminder of how beautiful our lives are together.

Thank you for sharing this post. Happy and warmest holidays to you and your family! I cannot wait to see you in the new year. 🤗

Christine Gunderson's avatar

The kids used to ask me why I saved all those ornaments...but now they are older they understand and they love looking at them each year. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas too and looking forward to seeing you too!

Judith Suthar's avatar

Just when I think you can’t possibly make the ordinary any wittier, you do. You are truly the absolute best writer ever!

Christine Gunderson's avatar

Thank you for always making me feel like Wonder Woman :-) If only I could somehow wrap this gigantic pile of unwrapped presents in words...so many Amazon boxes, so little time before Christmas...