You can just barely see it in the lower left of the photo, a Norfolk Island Pine, decorated for Christmas. (Noticing the radiator behind me, I can still hear the pipes clanging in the wall, Lawther Hall, State College of Iowa.)
Grandma Leora’s house was too small for a Christmas tree, so she started decorating a Norfolk Island Pine. It grew so large that it ended up in a corner of her entryway, where she added tinsel and baubles every Christmas.
As a college student, I also decorated a small Norfolk Island Pine. I have a feeling that Mom may have given it to me for just that reason. I haven’t had one for several years, but maybe I need another one. Nah, I’d have to water it and keep it alive. I did not inherit Grandma’s love of gardening, but I sure enjoy it as a fond memory.
Fantastic, Joy!
I have a Norfolk Island Pine out back that I decorated!
https://wp.me/a2IfOX-5Xo
Ah, Florida. Yours is outdoors! Thank you, GP.
Oh, Joy! That photo of you? Lovely then and now. 🥰❤️🥰
Wow, thanks, Vicki! Senior that year!
Love it! 🥰
I had one of those Norfolk Island Pines when my children were small and we often decorated it at Christmas. They can grow so very big with little effort. I had it for years.
I bet your children remember it as well. Thank you, Darlene.
We use to have a Norfolk pine. I miss it.
I miss mine as well, Don.
I know this memory is about Norfolk Pines, but that old radiator and the associated clunking from the pipes brings back remembrances of staying at my Grandma Springer’s place in the Chicago suburbs. It heated the room well, but the pipes sure made a racket while they were warming up.
I love it when clanking pipes dig up stories, Pete! I’d forgotten them until the radiator showed up.
That’s a lovely photo of you! I once had a decorated Norfolk pine for Christmas, but it died at some point.
So did mine, Liz, and I’m reluctant to replace it.
We had two Norfolk Island pines that we bought at Lowes on year to put on our front porch for Christmas. We planted them in the front years and they grew to 40 feet. Sadly Hurricane Harvey ravaged them. Great story, Joy.
You must live somewhere warm, but alas, reachable by hurricanes. Thanks, John!
Yes we used to live on the Texas Gulf Coast but Hurricane Harvey changed our mind.
Aha!
I had one of those, probably back in college days, too.🙂
Thanks, Eilene. Later I got a plastic one with branches that pulled out of the trunk so they fit in a box. Come to think of it, I still have that one on a shelf in the basement!
Great, Joy! Clanking radiators bring back memories of a house we lived in the 60s. Have a Blessed Christmas. 🎄
To you as well, Tim!
It’s surprising the powers that be don’t push for new homes to have radiator heat because it’s so clean and efficient. I didn’t develop a love of gardening either, so I never had a Norfolk pine-just one fake tree after another. Your hair is very pretty in your picture-thick with a lot of body. 🙂
The house across the street has steam heat. You’re right, Nancy, it’s wonderful. I think the thick hair might have had to do with hard water in the dorms, and rollers and hairdryers!
I used to sleep in those brush rollers. My scalp would be so sore!