It’s Christmastime in the Trailer
I happened to mention on Facebook that I was spending Black
Friday decorating and I said I had to enter the den of Satan (the local
Wal-Mart), because I discovered both my decorative and tree built-in lights
were dead. I realized that both of these were purchased in 2010 and were
probably due for a burial anyhow. And since lights and trees were 30 percent
off until noon, I went over at 11:30 and picked them up. The store was fairly
quiet except in the electronics department and I had no problem checking out.
After morning madness at the local Wal-Mart, I was able to
get 30 percent off on my new tree
and lights by arriving about a half hour before the sale time ended. I also
picked up a new doorbuster digital camera at about half price.
Some of my Facebook friends asked me to put some photos up
on decorating a trailer and so I am posting this blog.
Now the first thing you need to know about living in a
travel trailer is that it is not unlike a small apartment. The main area
includes a kitchen, kitchen table and couch, not to mention amenities such as a
television and DVD player. And the bedroom is a closed off area which, of
course, contains a full-size bed (it can also fit a queen-size mattress) and
lots of closet space for clothing. You can lift the platform for storage space,
which includes the decorations I’ve had for years.
Oh Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches:
My trailer contains what is called a “side.” That’s a
motorized extension that slides out from the trailer that permits more floor
space. Sides can run from two-to-ten feet. Some larger units have them on both
sides and create a living area greater than many living rooms in houses. I
neither need such space, nor can I afford it. And even if I could, the cost of
towing such a unit would be about six miles per gallon. It’s wonderful if you
want to live somewhere permanently, but is not really suited for a nomad such
as myself.
Putting a tree on the floor would not be pragmatic as there
would be no way to get past it. My open floor is five feet wide and no matter
where a tree would be placed, it would block traffic. And I am too old to have
it stop me from going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. So a tabletop
tree is necessary. I have always like the fiber optic lights on such a tree
from the first time I saw one in the 1970s. You only need to change one light
bulb and a rotating filter enables constantly changing colors. When I saw a 32”
high one for about $20, I was sold. It now sits on my kitchen table using
ornaments I purchased for the tree I bought in 2010 as well as some lasting
back to my childhood. Yet I still have about 2/3rds of the table left for
dining, tv watching and working on my laptop.
Top: 32-inch tabletop tree fits conveniently on the
table. Lights around the picture
frame enhance the setting. Bottom: A color wheel at the base of the fiber optic
tree results in constant light color changes.
Surrounding the window frame is a set of lights, which sets
off the tree quite nicely.
Deck the Halls with boughs of Holly!
Sorry, but Holly was not an option, but I do string lights
along the wall on the other side of the living area. The last time, I had
lights inserted in an artificial pine bough. This time I mixed the lights with
a garland instead. While the lights are nice, it is the place I hang the larger
ornaments. There are a number of memories in these ornaments. There are a
couple of very lovely glass ornaments more than sixty years old dating back to
my childhood before my parents separated. There are also some very cheap
plastic ones purchased in 1957. They were bought during hard times and no
matter how lousy they look, especially as the angel hair inside them has become
messed up, I refuse to part with them. That time was the blackest point of my
childhood, and probably my life, and they symbolize that there can be joy even
in the worst of times. Every year as I open the ornaments from their storage
bin, I reflect on both these times. There are good memories in them.
Ornaments that have a strong sentimental value are hung from
a light string and garland along the shelf area. In the foreground, a holiday-theme
throw covers my couch. It was a gift last Christmas from the daughter of a
friend. Holiday towels and hot mitts also hang by the kitchen area.
Also hanging there are a few newer ornaments that were given
to me after my marriage fell apart in 2010. I am especially fond of one that
says “first Christmas in a new home.” It was given to me by someone I love very
much and stirs memories of us that warm me even on the coldest days. Thank you
for that gift, and the many others you have given me, Emily. I sometimes become
quite depressed during this time of year. Along with being alone during the
holidays, the short, cold and dark days can be quite painful. These reminders
lift my spirits.
During the Christmases since the breakup, I have spent
several of them with my friends, Frank and Gina. I am in Oregon and they in
North Carolina. As I write this, they enjoy a sunny 73º day, while I am
enduring a sleeting 33º day with a night of sub-freezing weather that will turn
the wet roads to ice. Yet I still
love them. Last year, their daughter gave me a Christmas-themed throw blanket
that I have placed on the couch. Thanks Nickki.
And Momma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled
down for a long winter’s nap.
I have two Santa hats, a normal one and one that says “Bah,
Humbug” on it. Those who know me know that I have a full, white beard that I
grow every Christmas season just to have fun with people. But they are soft and
keep my bald head warm at night. Because I have to open the closets constantly,
electric lights are not an option. But I do have a garland and, inspired by
Nickki’s blanket, I purchased a second one, a lovely snowman, for the bed.
A snowman throw covers the bed while garland hangs from the
cabinets.
In addition, I have my fireplace, a heater, and a DVD that
plays music from “The Nutcracker” to a burning fire. Some of my favorite
memories are Christmas in a home with a fireplace. And New York’s WPIX Christmas
Eve programming played holiday music with a fire from Gracie Mansion’s
fireplace (home of the New York City mayor). Perhaps the most joyous fireside
moment was five years ago as I held my newly-born granddaughter by my son’s
fireplace in suburban Portland, Oregon.
My electric heater features a fireplace. It is very similar
to a real fireplace I had when I was a child. My campsite includes free
electric and I use it instead of the gas heat the trailer has. Purchased this
year, it is effective to about 20º and in bitter cold, I use both systems.
Fireplace and campfires have a way of warming you twice. The
first time is the warmth of the actual fire and the second is the warmth of the
memories. And if the weather is right, I have a new outdoor fire pit for more good
nights. Sometimes I have it with company, and my granddaughter always wants one
for smores. Other times, I have Pup, my corgi, who is a wonderful companion.
Top: Holiday lights greet the few visitors I have as the
park is closed for construction. My main function is as a caretaker and I keep
an eye on the day use area across the street. Bottom: The view from outside my
picture window at night.
Outdoors I have blue and white rope lights running along the
ground and I have placed a set of lights that alternate in red and green around
the camp host sign I have at my campsite. I am at 3500 feet above sea level and
near ski country. Chances are pretty fair I’ll have a white Christmas. I will
be keeping a sharp eye on the weather and hitch up if there is any chance of
snow.
And so I am ready for the holiday season. Despite being
completely alone in this campground (it is under reconstruction and I am here
as a caretaker) I have made some friends here and I hope they will come by for
a visit. I’m also planning a hot-chocolate and muffins morning for the
construction workers who sort of watch over me.
“Christmas” will be sometime around New Year’s Day when I
will be back near Portland for my next assignment and see my granddaughter
again.It’s Christmastime in the Trailer
