For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 12, 2015

I take it that the kids haven’t yet learned that the best presents are those that don’t come in a store or break within 5 minutes of opening the package.

It wouldn’t surprise me to find a child as young as Elizabeth disappointed by the contents of the package, but it’s too bad that an older child still thinks the only thing that matters about this holiday season is a toy of some sort…

I grew up in Los Angeles, every year my Grandma would send us holly from Portland Ore. My mother decorated the house with it. Now I live in the PNW and I don’t even grow it!

I grew holly till it took over. Had it removed. Not that hard to grow but you need a male and female for berries.

Maybe they are planning a surprise visit for Christmas and will bring the gifts with them. Just wanted the holly there to be used for decoration.

Mistletoe grows rampant in South Texas. After the Cedar Elms lose their leaves about now you can see it all over. It’s a parasite so taking some down for home use is good for the tree.

Too bad ivy doesn’t have a high demand at Xmas. Then it might not grow so rampant here in the PNW.

Just the other day, I was recalling how we’d go to my grandmother’s, across the way, and get fresh holly from the trees my uncle planted. This brings a tear to my eye.

Love holly at Christmas time. I buy it from growers selling at eBay.

I live in East Texas and holly is a scrub, invasive tree.

It takes good tools and hard physical labor to clear out even a small patch.

You really need to old enough to have a past, to appreciate it!

I’m with the kid. This would be very disappointing, unless you’re real old.

Really? Parasitic Holly?