"James Franklin".

welcome to Glen Mar..."James Franklin"!

standing at a cool 7 feet, this gent (also known as Abies fraseri) is a favorite amongst Christmas trees. when he isn't just standing around, he loves to donate his scent to air fresheners & incense, provide traditional remedies for colds & scurvy, and loves to participate in fir waves. all the way from Dutchman Tree Farms (via Pick n' Save), in Manton, MI!

i started naming my tree after favorite celebs who passed away that year: 2015 - Maureen (Maureen O'Hara), 2016 - Ricci-Earl (after Ricci Martin, Dean Martin's youngest son) & writer Earl Hamner, Jr., both of whom i knew personally.

this year's Christmas tree is appropriately - and with much joy (and sadness) - named after my father, James Anthony, who passed in March, and his childhood friend, Frank Lenten, who passed in September - both men lost to us within 6 months of each other & at the same age, leaving a very deep chasm in our hearts.

NOTE: i omitted one important name but i'll save it for next year (a slight breach in naming etiquette) as it's too much to have a three-named Christmas tree. also, i would appreciate it, God, if we can keep this to just ONE name & someone i don't know. thank you.)

no family portrait this year - too difficult. and as you can see, i haven't posted all year - mostly due to my father's passing. and Facebook. perhaps that will change in 2018.