"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.
Read more!
Dad, Uncle Tom (deceased) and Uncle Fran. The 
My cousin, James Ircink, strikes a pose during a semi-final bout at Notre Dame, where he's a student. I think he won this match. Atta way go, James! Sorta reminds me 'a me own boxin' days'. See picture below.
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