The small fir tree near the mailbox will be our Christmas tree this year.
It was Frimousse’s fir tree. It was in a small pot in the garden of our previous house – it was approximately 30cm (12in) high at the time. We brought it with us here, together with Frimousse, nearly sixteen years ago. It grew, we had to put it into a large pot, and then into a half-barrel. Frimousse liked to lie in the shade in the summer. He also liked hiding below to watch for birds. He would not be pleased to see his tree cut, if he was still here and alive. But the small fir tree is growing faster now because it has managed to shoot roots into the ground through the wooden bottom of the barrel. It is not possible to have a 15m (50ft) high tree at this place – and of course impossible to move it with its roots deep in the soil. No Christmas decoration on the fir tree this winter. Sad.
In the same vein, the lime tree will soon be pruned. Frimousse’s Mistress thinks it is too bushy.
Life goes on. Even without Frimousse.