A Cartridge in a Bare Tree

Dad sent me this Thanksgiving story three years ago.

A Christmas Tale

Way back in 1973, newly moved from Ohio, a young Lee Hinde tied an empty vintage WWII cartridge casing to a tree limb in the back yard of his new home. Left from among the belongings of his cousin Lee Grimm, it had now, for the family's first Christmas in California, become A Cartridge in a Bare Tree. (Of course, what else.)

Several times in past years his father had, while mowing the yard, noticed the the cartridge was missing from the tree. As a result of decaying string that held it, it had fallen to the ground. New string always replaced the old and the cartridge hung again, remaining there Christmas after Christmas.

In November of 2002, 29 years from it's first Christmas, it once again fell to the ground. This time, instead of being noted as missing from the tree, it lay on the ground covered with the Fall leaves. The cartridge was found there by the lawnmower, and first noticed by Lee's father as the mower hurled it 50 feet through the home's window and down the length of the family room. It was later found resting by father's easy chair. Unfortunately the fine old cartridge was cut, sliced and badly nicked. Having survived 60 years and World War II, it was now time to retire.

Not incidentally, Lee's dear old mother (poetic license) was watching TV in the family Room at the time the projectile came flying through. Luckily it missed her! And luckily also, while being sprayed with flying window glass she was uncut. To say she was startled and concerned would however be an understatement.

Glass covered much of the Family Room, and small pieces may well be found in odd places for months to come. On the positive side, other than the broken window, no actual harm was done.

Now the broken glass has been cleaned up, the yard mowed by father while mom a trip to the glazier made, the window replaced and the window screen left with it's hole as a reminder of the day the Cartridge in a Bare Tree made an early Christmas visit.

Happy Thanksgiving

I found another cartridge and dad wired it to the tree, so hopefully, this one is more permanent. I wonder if we can make its maintenance part of the deed. :-)