Self-discovery since arriving in Germany: I need semi-regular rambles around the great outdoors. Preferably, through the woods located a ten-, fifteen-minute walk from the house.
You probably couldn’t tell from my fairytale series literally centered around a forest (gosh knows you wouldn’t know from my upcoming trilogy that pays continual homage to Sherwood), but woodlands are the song of my heart. (Up there with the moon and water and minstrel music.) Getting lost in the trees gives me a vital shot of not just technically living, but actually being alive. In the woods, I’m not just taking in air, but breathing. Bugs, mud, and prickly plants notwithstanding, it is my happy place, and you’d think there’d be very little anyone could do to improve my wood-walking experience.
You’d think wrong.
Because the other day, during Tirzah’s and my merry wandering, we happened upon this.
Yes, my friends: Somebody had gone into the middle of the woods and created a Christmas tree!
We were shocked! We were stoked! I felt blessed as if by heaven’s very angels! For you see, though there is a song of Christmas in my heart, too, I’ve had a rocky time maintaining the holiday spirit this year – largely due, I figure, to being seven time zones away from my family and our home where Christmas music blasts from the radio nonstop all December long.
So to discover such a festive little thing among all the regular trees I so adore? That = visual tidings of comfort and joy.
I am twice glad Tirzah was with me. Once, because this was an experience to be shared. Twice, because I make it a point not to take a camera with me on my walks; I’d hate to get so wrapped up in trying to perfectly frame a sight for the future that I miss out on fully engaging in the present. Tirzah, on the other hand, makes it a point to go nowhere without her phone. So on this special occasion that totally demanded it, pics were had!
My warmest well wishes to whoever thought up and executed this most magnificent of simple gifts. Merry Christmas to me! And to you, my Ever On Wordians all. ^_^
Ever On Word 
That’s pretty cool. What a great discovery.
Indeed! Someone around here has Christmas spirit in spades. ^o^
My favorite thing is the little sign.
Isn’t it dear? :3 And thanks to context clues (i.e., knowing that “Weihnacht” = “Christmas” and, y’know, the sign’s on a Christmas tree), I could successfully translate it!
This is the sweetest!!! I bet the German term for “surprise unsupervised Christmas tree in the wild” is really interesting. 😛 Happy hols to you and Tirzah, and big hugs from back homeside. ❤
Pah-haha, that’s one German word that would go on for daaaaays. Warm wishes of the same to you, luv!