December 10, 2019: Finding THE Christmas tree

Five visits, one perfect tree of the most unlikely of places -- Home Depot.

We tried a nearby roadside cut-tree operation the night before this find; it was pretty unsavory and very expensive. The next morning we traveled ten miles to a 'tree farm' in Hilbert; after a twenty-minute search we just walked away. Then a nursery -- more expensive trees. Then back to Pick 'n Save -- yes, I know, but they had tree stands, one of which we almost purchased. Then, as much of of resignation as desperation, we drove across the street to Home Depot. Even here we almost gave up. But the last tree on the last row of trees turned out to be a prize. So we had them trim an inch off the trunk, cut off a few low branches (I cut off three more later), bought a stand and 300 mini lights, meshed up the tree, stuffed it in the Acura and drove home.