Don't throw it over the fence!

Christmas is long gone. We still have our tree up decorated, because that's how it stays until my birthday. I think we're not the only ones to take it down later. Our tree is artificial, for purely practical reasons. Nothing can replace the smell of forest and pine needles… but the question arises: what do you do with it?

Throw it over the fence to the neighbours! That's the solution one of my fellow citizens/neighbours came up with. So this morning I was greeted by a surprise. A lovely pine tree. Well-shaped, tall. It had been planted in soil and secured onto a metal spike for good measure — I can tell by the hole in the middle of the trunk.

People's behaviour is a reflection of the times…