The first Christmas Weed was discovered growing out of a crack in the edge of a road in 1993. A family spotted the less than a foot tall juniper and thought it looked like a tiny Christmas tree. One comment led to another and soon a Christmas tree decorating idea was in full force. They gathered some tinsel, a few little shiny ornaments, several friends and off they went. It only took a few minutes to decorate the tiny tree, but the enthusiasm and holiday spirit grew by leaps & bounds. An impromptu party started and everyone went home happy and full or good cheer that night. Unfortunately the next morning, the highway department was not looking for Christmas trees growing out of cracks in the road and ripped it out along with the rest of the roadside trash they were sent to clear. When the family discovered the loss, they were disappointed but chose to set up another volunteer shrub in its place and decorated it. Neighbors joined in the fun, the local newspaper was called and everyone went home happy and full of cheer. That night the local Grinch struck and stole the tree. The idea of the Christmas Weed now became a contest of wills, another little tree was established, the local newspaper was called to let the world know that here be a Christmas tree! Grinch was unimpressed and did his rotten deed yet again. Ah, but the Grinch didn't know who he was dealing with, for this time when the little tree was replaced yet again, the newspaper was called but so was the police. Theft of this little display of good cheer would not be tolerated and this time, the little tree stood all pretty and proud proclaiming Merry Christmas to everyone who drove by.
The idea has become established and is now a local tradition. A search is made to find the perfect specimen (aka The Christmas Weed) which is then transported to the site of the First Weed and is given as much pomp and splendor as the huge, perfectly shaped trees that are on display in major cities. This year The Weed was given a place of honor on one of the floats in the Claymont Christmas parade.
Our little weed stands as a proud and beautiful reminder that true Christmas spirit is in the hearts and minds of those who want to share in the message of the season.
Tags: Wilmington's Weed How Traditions Get Started A Different Tree
A few days ago I heard an interesting challenge that I will share with you.
"If you had the undivided attention of everyone in the world for just one minute, what would you say?"
Think about it.
Peace
Jingles
Tags: Thoughts
Yesterday I received an invitation in the mail that is worthy of being framed and hung in a prominent spot somewhere. I nearly tossed it into the shredder, but thought perhaps you might get a laugh from this as I did. We can absolutely report now that being a Hillian can be the fountain of youth and I have proof of my statement. I have been invited to submit my application to become a contestant in the 2009 Miss USA contest. While it is a wee bit tempting, the idea of walking around in high heels again puts this project on the I-don't-think-so list.
Jingles
Tags: Really
For the past several years I have been privileged to have a pair of catbirds that have learned to trust and accept me. This story began several years ago when I put a few raisins out on a special spot on the deck. They quickly learned that here be raisins! I would wait for them to come in and each time they took one, I would say the word raisin. Eventually they connected the sound of the word to the treat and would come to my calling 'raisin'. The pair that inspired this story are at least the 3rd and possibly the 4th generation of catbirds that visit me. Eventually I added a two-note whistle to the repertoire that they also respond to and have since added to their song-fests. That was a thrill the first time he whistled those 2 notes back at me! But yesterday was something special that I want to share. I was working in the garden and saw movement in the plants, checked it out to find one of the catbirds sitting on the ground about a yard from me. I called 'raisin' and stood up, the bird hopped out on the sidewalk and just sat there. I slowly walked towards the deck calling 'raisin' as I walked away. When I turned to see where the little bird had gone, the pair of them were hopping down the sidewalk after me. They followed me the full length of the walk and waited for me to get the treats for them. When I came back out of the house, they were perched by the their special spot. First one bird came in, gobbled 3 raisins down, took a 4th one, flew off then the second bird did the same thing. All the while they were eating I was standing mere inches away from them. A few minutes later they 'said thank you' by giving a full repertoire song-fest. My heart is till smiling!
Tags: Raisins Catbirds
