Oh Christmas Tree

Before the ice is in the pools,
Before the skaters go,
Or any cheek at nightfall
Is tarnished by the snow,
Before the fields have finished,
Before the Christmas tree,
Wonder upon wonder
Will arrive to me!

Emily Dickinson:


I have been looking on, this evening, at a merry company of children assembled round that pretty German toy, a Christmas Tree. The tree was planted in the middle of a great round table, and towered high above their heads. It was brilliantly lighted by a multitude of little tapers; and everywhere sparkled and glittered with bright objects.
Charles Dickens

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836


I got myself up after midnight so I could post a lighted tree shot in all it's grainy, noisy splendor. ZZZZZZZZZ.

It's so cold today, no bird photographs for me, but they are busy at the feeders. Our window restorer is here and the heat has to be turned down low because of the radiator in front of the two windows she's reinstalling. The cats are not happy, and I might have to agree with them soon! The old windows from 1893 look brand new, in perfect working order. Raspberry helped with the installation of the copper chains where the old broken ropes holding the weights used to be, she's such an assistant. Next set of sash restorations will be done after the holiday.