Field of Science

Holiday season retrospective

Quite a few holiday posts have accumulated over the past couple of years, and like watching the miracle on 42nd street for the 42nd time, why not do a bit of a retrospective?
There was a time when the Phactors did not decorate
the usual evergreen tree, and while it probably warped the F1, it was easy to hang ornaments.
Almost every year someone asks about whether
it's ecologically sound to have a real tree and how to tell a "pine" tree from a "fur" (Yes, that's what they actually asked.)
Let's see the Phactor has also covered
holly (or maybe uncovered would be more accurate) and mistletoe, and how these symbols of the season are pagan in origin.
Lastly you'll be glad to know that our
non-hardy azalea is blooming right on schedule and now has its seasonal decorations too.
Now back to the pile of student papers on my desk.

1 comment:

Eric said...

We, too, often have decorated a euphorbiaceous Christmas tree, either in addition to or instead of the more usual sort. So, it was with sentimental regret that this year we disposed of the euphorbia, its having gotten so huge that moving it in and out for the seasons was a chore for two people, ramps, and dolly and it took up the majority of the dining room in the winter. Pruning attempts were not pretty. It was not a decision taken lightly. After each move, the scarring was physical, but letting it go the scarring was more figurative and longlasting.