Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Burning of the Tree

Tuesday, May 29, 2007
5 comments
There's something so cleansing about a really hot, huge fire.


Since moving to our farm in SE Ohio in 1992, we've always put our Christmas tree to triple duty. First we decorate it and enjoy it from mid-December until early January. Then we haul it out and build a brush pile around it for our feeder birds to shelter in during the harsh weather of late winter. Finally, on Memorial Day, we burn the tree and dance around it, howling.

Last night was our night for the annual Burning of the Tree. The brown remains of our Fraser fir went up like crackling gunpowder. Our howling put the local coyotes to shame. And our dancing, well, let's just say it looked like we'd been electrocuted, then attacked by biting ants.

I am the FIRE KING burning off both winter and spring. Cold and snow are now long gone. Let summer rule from here on!

Thanks to Steve, Shila, David, Mary Jane, Zane, Margaret, and (especially) Oona for making the scene. A great way to usher in summer.

An extra dollop of gratitude to Shila for these images.
Basking in the fire's glow. Stars in the sky above, whip-poor-wills in the meadow below.

I am but a simple caveman. Your modern ways confuse and confound me.

5 comments:

On May 29, 2007 at 11:57 AM Mary said...

There is always a reason for a good party :o)

On May 29, 2007 at 9:18 PM Spiderman's Mom said...

Good thing Spiderman was there to keep the peace.

On May 29, 2007 at 10:26 PM Susan Gets Native said...

Gotta wonder what the neighbors think. Can they hear all the howling?

On May 30, 2007 at 9:40 AM Rondeau Ric said...

Who needs a reason to party with friends.
Who's got the marshmallows?

On May 30, 2007 at 12:32 PM Anonymous said...

Our family celebrates summer birthdays with bonfires at camp on Lake Champlain. Usually old Christmas tree is part of conflagration. 1st week of July is a biggie, 3 in one week...the folks on the Vermont shore must wonder what we are doing. Howling usually isn't involved, but maybe we should add some sound effects.

Caroline in South Dakota


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