When I was very young we had neighbors who were, according to my mother, absolutely fanatical about their tree. She tells a story of how, one year, they were so unhappy with the way the tree came out that they stripped the tree, bought a new one, and re-decorated from scratch.

Of course, these were the same people who, one year (maybe the same year), kept the tree up until Easter.

Kathy, are you collecting a particular type of ornament?

I get the Just Crosstitch annual Christmas ornament issue and try to make at least one to give as a gift. Being me, I adapt them some, either to suit my taste, the taste of the recipient, or because I can't get something the pattern specifies. (This is how I nearly went blind trying to stitch a 36-count ornament.)

Teppy, I'm so behind in bitches, but I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about The Alchemist.

Aw, thanks! It's rough. They plan to rebuild, but it's still a huge loss.

The squirrels in DC are, well, spoiled. Tourists can't resist feeding them and photographing them. They (the squirrels) will get pushy about food. And the albino ones in Franklin Square even more so - I was once walking through the square drinking coffee and one came up and practically perched on my toe waiting for me to feed it.

When a former roomie and I visited the Mall we passed a tree full of chattering squirrels over by the Vietnam Memorial, and an obese one that looked like the animatronic gopher from Caddyshack actually came running up to our feet in hope of being fed. Its boldness had obviously paid off in treats, if not cardiovascular health.

We used to cut our own Christmas trees when we lived in Maine, when I was a kid. It was an era before laws, I think. But damn balsam firs smell good; no other Christmas tree will do for me.

Kathy, are you collecting a particular type of ornament?

No, nothing in particular, just getting them when I see something I like! I've got everything from a few Jim Shore ornaments to a gorgeous handmade wood one I got at an artisan's center in South Carolina to Tiny Tim on Bob Cratchit's shoulder that I bought at the Goodman Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol to several cross stitch, felt, beading, and needlepoint ones I've made myself, and several Waterford ones I bought at the Irish shop in the mall when I worked at Waldenbooks back in the '90s (they would go on sale the week after Xmas and I'd drop in and grab them up since they were half off).

If I see a Christmas store, I'll pop in and poke around until I see something that I must have.

I have gotten a lot of older 1950s-60s glass ornaments at thrift shops, often for ridiculously cheap. Yard sales are also good. Of course, I have an ornament problem, and could probably trim three trees.

FYI, some of these are the kits I just bought to make for gifts and myself this year.

oh, pretty! some of the Santa/St. Nick ones look a bit like Jim Shore ornaments.