Do you have two things (or even people) you love but they are not compatible?
This is how I feel about my 15-pound cat and Christmas decorations. I love them both, but they go together like oil and water.
I have always been a huge lover of Christmas trees, and in years past I decorated numerous themed trees. That all stopped with the arrival of Adler in 2020.
Before I go on: Adler has a brother named Maslow. Maslow does not disturb anything. He eats and sleeps. He is chaos-free.
Adler, on the other hand, is a different story!
Prior to 2020, I put my trees up early so I could enjoy them longer.
Nowadays, I put one up and that is the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This way, I have less days to monitor Adler and the ornaments, garland, etc.
I thought since he turned 4, he would be less energetic. Wow, was I ever wrong. I am sure Adler has a hyperactivity disorder.
He is huge but not fat. He can leap so high into the air it is almost impossible to believe.
It is like having a tiny tiger in the house. He is incredibly sweet but oh, so busy.
Minutes after Michael gets the tree up, I look over and see that it is shaking violently from side to side. I knew immediately that Adler was in it.
Sure enough, it was on its way to toppling over when Michael caught it.
Sunday, we return home from church to find a sketchy scene. An ornament was in the middle of the floor. The tree skirt was wrinkled up around the tree and the stand a lone nutcracker had been toppled on his head.
Our living room looked as if the Grinch himself had made an appearance!
The holidays always bring a host of activities here in the county. Please read below about some of them.
1. The annual Parade of Christmas Trees is underway at the First National Bank of Crossville. The parade features trees by community schools, churches and civic organizations. You may view the trees during regular business hours at the bank on North Main Street. If you visit before Dec. 13, you may vote for your favorite tree! Trees will remain on display through Dec. 30.
2. The Palace Theatre will be showing holiday-themed movies over the next few weeks. You may catch “Elf” tonight, Friday, December 6th. Others coming up include Scrooged, Holiday Inn, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Christmas Vacation, White Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and It is a Wonderful Life. Visit their website for showtimes at www.palacetheatre-crossville.com All movies are $5.
3. Speaking of parades, the city of Crossville’s annual Christmas Parade is slated for next Saturday, Dec. 14. It will feature floats, bands, beauty queens, horses, and of course, Santa Claus. It is scheduled to step off at 4:30 p.m. Mason Fox, parade director, reminds everyone the route has shifted this year due to the construction on Main Street. The parade will step off from the Martin and Cumberland County High School area and proceed up Stanley Street, turn left on West Avenue, and end up on 10th Street. Trey Meadows is the 2024 Grand Marshal.
4. Sing Noel, a Central Baptist Church Christmas concert, is also scheduled for next weekend. The free event will be offered three times: at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 15; and at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
5. Lucas and Friends annual Christmas Variety Show will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the historic Palace Theatre. This show benefits the Fair Park Senior Center and will feature Crossville’s Got Talent Winner Opal Todd and a host of other performers. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the Fair Park Senior Center on Livingston Road or at the Palace Theater on Main Street.
6. The Military Memorial Museum “Raise the Roof” fundraising concert will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the historic Palace Theatre in Crossville. It will feature California Dreamin’, a ‘60s and ‘70s experience. Tickets are $15 each and available at the Palace Theatre and First National Bank of Crossville.
7. The Salvation Army of Cumberland County needs bell ringers for this year’s Red Kettle Campaign. If you can volunteer, please call 931-788-3414.