Getting into the seasonal swing...
Even before hunkering in place during the pandemic, I’ve created my own insanity, which ironically, keeps me sane. Never at a loss for something to do, whether associated with housekeeping or my writing career, I’ve often made more work for myself striving for unattainable perfection in whatever I attempt.
My latest craze for veering off the beaten path of pandemic-induced anxiety has been that of acquiring a four-foot, artificial Douglas fir to purvey the ornamental theme of gnomes. Strategically placed where I want it, bridging the dining area and living room, I “spruced” it up by skirting the base with a burlap sack secured with twine to give it a rustic vibe.
Thenceforth, it has been a waiting game of eager anticipation to receive the first few handcrafted gnomes I ordered, along with two seven-foot strands of garland comprised of dark red, wooden beads simulating cranberries.
Alas, the garland arrived!
As it’s been several years since I’ve gone out on a limb in branching out with decorating larger trees, the process of perfecting the laying on of garland strung me out. After going around in circles, from scratch, at least four times in an over-under weave, something still didn’t look right to me. I decided to watch an instructional You Tube video.
My random choice featured a demonstration of creating a scallop effect with garland—not only way over the top for the size of my tree, but out of my league. Now, on a mission, I googled photos of trees with garland, studying those which struck my fancy.
Aha! I discovered my shortcoming—my garlands manifested a high-strung personality. The secret, therein, lies with creating a draping effect.
So, for the fifth time, I dismantled the tree and got in the swing of things, lassoing it from top to bottom with loose abandon. At last, the garland swathing met my approval. Since my gnome theme tree will be on display all year round—it’s a wrap.
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Still I can see your accomplishment and trying something new even if it is old.
Ron
Very nice story, my on the other side of the country friend.
Mark