'Tis the Season
Suddenly, it’s December and that means early summer in New Zealand. The day, here at our beach house, is breezy and bright with white clouds racing across a blue sky. It’s also the time for the flowering of the pohutakawa trees which are coastline giants. Our neighbour (who claims to know such things) says the tree I’m looking at through the window above my laptop is over 500 years old and enjoying full reproductive health.
The robber barons of the old world decimated New Zealand forests a century or two ago, taking tall trees like the native kauri among other species. In fact, in the mid-19th century, 31% of New Zealand exports were logs of native trees sent to Europe. Did they take pohutakawa trees? This picture tells the story.
As you can see in the photo, the trunk and every branch from large to minute twists and turns every which way. The robber barons would have called it ‘rubbish’ wood, no good for man nor beast (with an emphasis on ‘man’). Thus the pohutakawa trees survived. Northern New Zealand’s coastline is rimmed with massive trees covered in bright red flowers this time of year.
It’s a sight that gladdens my heart in this adopted country of mine, a once a year treat.
But, dear reader, it doesn’t take away the ache of missing the traditions I grew up with, such as carolling outside with the junior choir, stopping in the light of the streetlamps when, often, big fat snowflakes drifted down. Or going outside for a skate by a light fixed by my father so after the sun went down we kids could have fun on the little rink he made. Or watching every single house in our suburb put up decorations. And I miss eggnog and massive Christmas trees and....
The traditions here in the Southern Hemisphere include barbecues and having a swim at the beach. Our family plays boules on a lumpy section of lawn after opening presents with all windows and doors flung wide open.
It’s not the same. But it is the same.
Have a lovely time this holiday season, whether you are lighting Hanukkah candles, having fun at the beach or trying out a new toboggan on a snow-covered river bank. And I’ll see you next year.
Here’s a little early present for the holidays: an author friend of mine has written a story called Laying Ghosts and it’s free to download (click here).
A strange message.
A deserted beach house.
A shocking incident from the past …
When a text message from a long lost friend lures Selkie Moon to Crystal Cottage, the chilling events from a house-party four years earlier wrap her in ghostly fingers and turn her life upside-down.
If you would like a peek at a children’s author’s newsletter, try Mark Watson’s:
Finally, if you’d like one of my murder mysteries to read after January 2nd, try A Swimmer is Dead: Darkwater Lake Mystery #2. It’s at a very good price if you order it now.
If you relish a mix of chilling suspense, an isolated lake setting, and an amateur sleuth tackling an enigmatic murder mystery, prepare to be captivated by this edgy cozy featuring Jodie Hill at Darkwater Lake.
Have a lovely time and, please, on New Year’s Eve (or any other time if you like eggnogs with rum), stay safe.