I need a rainbow

I started this post yesterday with the title "O Tannenbaum." If you're guessing that things went south, you would be correct. Actually, things went northwest....

Yesterday Rick's mom came out for Brian's birthday breakfast, then we launched a successful tree-hunting expedition. Our neighbors who have let us cut trees on their lot for free went south this winter, so we visited another neighbor's lot – with very reasonable prices, fortunately. It always takes awhile when you have four different Goldilocks all searching for "just right," but we finally settled on a full, 15' Noble fir. It has two tops but no matter; my beautiful glass spire tree topper was destroyed in 2013's disastrous Christmas tree crash, and I haven't found a satisfactory replacement. Collectively holding our breath worked; the clouds held their rain but for a few drops here and there. That, combined with a stiff wind earlier, meant the tree was dry enough to bring inside and decorate together as planned.

My new porcelain Breyer ornament from the Christmas party the night before

Then, although the weather was still holding and I was desperate to get on Lance one last time before this,

Brian required motivation and guidance to catch up on some school subjects and violin practice. Thus began a long, slow slog of an evening. Bedtime came and went, and the grind continued. Finally, I announced that I was heading to the barn to feed the hungry, waiting herd. I was still in the garage donning chore coat and boots when Brian came tearing out yelling, "Mom! Mom! The tree fell!"

"Shatterproof" isn't, necessarily. :-(

After we removed the wet area rug, mopped up the water, righted and secured the tree with guy-lines, rescued what ornaments were intact or repairable (that new horse ornament broke a leg), swept and vacuumed shards of glass from hardwood and carpet and couch, I fell into bed around midnight – physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Feeling as bleak as the weather had become, my thoughts and emotions lashed about like the wind and rain outside and kept me up for a good while longer.

Good thing I emptied the rain gauge of last week's three inches yesterday before this started; it's collected more than two inches already.

This morning's view from Lance's paddock

As my mother says, life is a battle and a march. I know I am here to learn perseverance, to "endure till the end." I need to face these lessons with determination instead of quailing – just like I want my son to do with his responsibilities. Funny how we both struggle in our spheres with the same challenge!

That's it for now from . . .