Make that old benchmark new

Most of us have Categories of Memories.

Traditions, Holidays, Vacations, Labor and Delivery, Dance/Choir/Orchestra Recitals, and so and so and such and such.

While you may take a vacation every year, perform in a recital annually, or deliver a dozen children, chances are there is one that stands out as a Benchmark Memory.

This is the one that shines so brightly that all other memories in the category are judged by how well they reflect the Benchmark.

The Family Prude has a tradition of cutting down a Christmas tree.  Below are scenes from our Christmas Past Benchmark Tree Cutting year:

This year The Prude’s husband, working like crazy to emulate the Benchmark, tried to get his boys together to go cut a tree.

He asked Son #1 who said, “I can’t do it. My wife is out of town and I need to study.”

He asked Son #2 who said, “I can’t do it. My wife and I are setting up our own tree that day.”

He asked Son #3 who said, “I’m going to stay on campus this weekend and play bingo at the old folk’s home.”

Then he asked the dog and his wife who both leapt into the van.

The three Christmas Tree Mavens set out in a driving rainstorm to find a new tree farm from which to harvest a tree.

And learned that only precut trees were left.

The Prude, her husband, and her dog drove home sans sons, sans self-cut tree and sans snow.

She can’t imagine 2 cuter companions in the Quest for a new Benchmark.