Gardening

TcReview Wednesday, December 11, 1991 —= C14

Remembering a Christmas tree adventure

Because everyone is bound to be
too busy worrying about Christ-
mas to be worrying about garden-
ing, I thought I'd tell you a tue
story about one Christmas in
Prince George, where we used to
live.

Because my birthday is Christ-
mas Day I get certain “perks,” for
instance, I get to pick the Christ-
mas tree.

This has always been fun (for
me anyway) and requires much
travelling, lengthy debates, and
great effort cutting down the tree,
and transporting it home.

I hasten to say that these were
early days, a long-passed time,
before we knew about LIVING
Christmas trees, which I now
encourage everyone to buy!

Anyway, this particular year we
decided to head out the Chief Lake
Road to see what we could find.
The weather was clear, but very
cold, and all of us were bundled up
to the eyes. We had my son, and
three of the girls with us.

“himself drove slowly, the rest
of us peering at those skinny trees
typical of North country, hoping to
spot a fat one. Suddenly I saw the
perfect tree. It was probably 30
feet tall, but the top five feet was
beautiful ... as Jush and bushy. as
one of those expensive plantation
trees that are now available.

I shouted, ‘“Stop!”’ and, with
some difficulty, the roads being a
sheet of ice, “himself pulled off
to the side, and everyone bailed
out, saying, “Where is this mar-
velous tree, then? This all looks
like scrub to me!” “Look at all
these junkers!” “Garbage!”” and
all sorts of other unsavory com-
ments.

I just stood there looking supe-
rior, and, playing it for all the
drama I could find, suddenly
raised my arm and pointed UP!

Five sets of eyes gazed skyward,
following my pointing finger, then
swung down and stared at me in
utter disbelief.

“You can’t mean that 60-
footer!” they groaned in unison.

My son, who was the official
“‘faller, looked particularly pained.

“Aw, Mum,” sez he, “You gotta be
kidding! That thing would be sure
to fall across the power line, and
then we’d be in BIG trouble!”

“Now, son,” I replied coldly, “If
you do a PROPER under-cut, it
should fall out toward the road,
and then it should be easy for you
to cut off the five feet we need for
the Christmas tree.”

He looked at me uncertainly,
then realizing I wasn’t kidding,
manfully shouldered the double-
bitted axe, climbed up over the
six-foot snowbank, and disap-
peared down the other side.

A few muffled sounds (which I
trust were not curses!) drifted
toward us, and we could see puffs
of his frozen breath as he moved
slowly away.

Finally there came the sound of
chopping. We waited nervously for
the tree to fall, shouting encour-
agement, and cautionary remarks
such as, “Be careful, dear!”’ (me)

“Tts going to fall the wrong
way,” (his sisters)

“Wice work, Paul!” (‘him-
self’).

The poor tree gave a sudden
shiver and began to topple ... yes,
you guessed it ... straight toward
the power-line!

There was a terrible humming
noise, more dreadful than thunder,
and the circuit box burst into flame
... tongues of blue light running up
and down the box ... and all the

‘These were early days, a long-
passed time, before we knew
about LIVING Christmas trees,

which I now encourage everyone
to buy!’

time this awesome humming,

One daughter, truly terrified,
screamed, “Lets get out of here!”
and, waiting for no one, ran like a
gazelle over the ice, and flung
herself into the car.

We were all dumbfounded, but
the damage was done, and there
seemed no point in abandoning
this hard-won tree.

While “himself” and I debated
what to do next, three burly young
fellows came out of a farm drive-
way, and began to walk toward us,
and they didn’t seem the least bit
friendly. Threatening is more like
it!

Stolen car stopped

Help from a civilian with a
cellular phone resulted in the
arrest of a 19-year-old Esquimalt
man on East Saanich Road just
north of the Pat Bay Highway
about 2:36 a.m. Noy. 25, Central
Saanich police said.

A 1982 Subaru four-door stolen
from a 7-Eleven Store in Esqui-
malt was followed by a citizen who
contacted police from his car
phone while driving near Elk
Lake.

Two police vehicles “boxed in”
the Subaru after spotting it north-
bound on the highway near Tanner
Road.

Charges of impaired driving,
possession of stolen property, driv-
ing while prohibited and two
counts of theft are being laid
against the Esquimalt man, deputy
police Chief George Lawson said.

Continued from Page C11

BLOOD DONOR

Red Cross Blood Donor clinics will be
held Dec. 16 at Red Cross House, 909
Fairfield Road, from 2:30 to 8 pm; Dec. 17
and 18 at Red Cross House from 2 to 8 pm;
Dec. 19 at Red Cross House from 7:30 am
to 3 pm and Dec. 20 at Red Cross House
from 7:30 am to 1 pm.

STRAIGHT UP

Full Gospel Businessmen, Victoria
Chapter, hold their Christmas banquet Dec.
16 in Princess Mary Restaurant, 344 Har-
pour Road, Victoria, starting at 6:30 pm.
This month’s program features the ;musical
group Straight Up. Cost is $13 per person,
reservations required. Info, 652-6545.

SCOTS CELEBRATE

St. Andrew’s and Caledonian Society
holds its annual Potluck Supper and Christ-
mas Festivities Dec. 19 at Holyrood House
slarting at 6 pm. Visitors welcome, $5 for
non-members. For information and to
reserve space call 592-0052 or 658-2010.

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COMPLETE LINE OF HOME BREWING SUPPLIES

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A luxurious Cinema located
in the heart of Langford at
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when you take the drive
you'll find not only better
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SHOWCASE THEATRES takes less time than going
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24 hour
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PAT HANNAH

Pat Hannah, Manager Personal Banking Royal Bank Sidney is
being congratulated by DOUG COLLINS, Manager Market Deve-
lopement Royal Bank Victoria Area on being selected to attend the
Bank’s 1991 Royal Performance Cruise in the Caribbean. Pat's
contributions to the communtiy and her outstanding teamwork and
leadership in her branch make her truly a “TOP PERFORMER.”she
will be joining 350 other Royal Bank “TOP PERFORMERS” for a
one week convention aboard the “REGAL PRINCESS” in early
January 1992.

Pat and her staff's commitment to Quality Service have made the
Royal Bank Sidney a leader in the financial services industry.

253 ROYAL BANK

2464 Beacon Ave.

Sidney B.C. 656-3947
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"RESTAURANT
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B.B.Q. Baby Back Ribs ...........-......---

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WEDNESDAY
6 oz. Steak w/Baked Potato & Veg. ......----»----

THURSDAY

Teriyaki Chicken w/Baked Potato & Veg. ....

FRIDAY

Steak & Tiger Prawns w/Baked Potato & Veg. .

SATURDAY

Seafood Platter for Iwo
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+2 =5 Oe s —— sa