tire tracks in snow flying over the curb
went with one of my daughters to my favorite christmas tree lot, FLATSNOOTS, to buy my little tree. i love everything about these guys, they are always eccentric, friendly, quick, cheap, and helpful.
there was lots of new snow everywhere, and when i thought i was turning into their driveway, i was actually flying over a curb. we landed in their lot, in a parking spot, right next to their trailer. i rolled down my window, popped the trunk, and yelled out to duke, (one of the owners), ‘hey, can you toss whatever you have for $10 into my trunk?’ ‘nope. looks like you’re parked now, and that was quite an entrance. c’mon out back and we’ll see what we can find you.’
what i imagined that my car did as we entered the lot
(image credit: warner bros. pictures)
it was a typical flatsnoots shopping experience – they found me a little tree for $8, and told us to come into the trailer to warm up and pay, while they cut the bottom off of the tree. they quickly went to their mini bar, whipped out the cinnamon schnapps, and we toasted to the season, sang a song with them, and were on our way once again. i felt like we had been in a scene from ‘national lampoon’s christmas vacation.’ only better.
Discounts Remain the Same:
10% to geezers
10% to anyone who wears a sombrero
10% to anyone shorter than my friend Phil
10% to anyone who wears a sombrero
10% to anyone shorter than my friend Phil
Fine Services Available:
Valet Parking (not)
We will fresh-cut, prune & fit your tree to your stand
Tree delivery is available
Flatsnoots is a charter member of the North American Wood Tick Association *
Coolest, Funkiest, most AH-mazingly bodacious Hat wins a COOL PRIZE
Peace & Prosperity to All!, Duke
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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With a name like Flatsnoots, you probably have to try harder in life and business. And, Beth, your noggin’ sharin’ friends seem to have your Christmas tree needs completely covered. Nice aIt time on the car, too.
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mark – absolutely, and these guys are great in every way.
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I feel cheated now that we don’t have any place like that here. It sounds like such a fun place to go!
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peace – perhaps you should open one up yourself ? )
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Lol, by now, can you imagine me with alcohol and selling anything? I stay in enough trouble now with just my sober big mouth.
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I’ve seen your responses on several blogs I follow and I’ve been curious to come on over and check out your blog. Then I get distracted and well, you know. But today, I followed through and I’m glad I did. I like the way you write. It’s real and refreshing.
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bec – thank you so much, that is very kind of you and look forward to reading your words as well – best, beth
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The tracks in the snow look beautiful! This sounds like great fun :)
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sophie – oh it was!
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Ahh I see my lovely friend Beck has visited :-) This was so funny – but probably a tad scary at the time. Love the quote – and so nice to see that friendliness and good cheer abounds still. They seem great guys to deal with, nothing like that over here I’m afraid..mores the pity. xx
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jen – no, not scary at all, we were laughing all the way. always an adventure when we go to see them. just never know exactly what it will be. if you had snow, i feel confident you would have a group of eccentric aussies running a christmas tree lot )
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ah yes it is perhaps the snow that is required ;-) now I have the song in my head..laughing all the way ;-) x
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and as a Nordic skier
I thought snowmobiles
were a hazard :-)
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smile – ah, they are quite amateur compared to the sport of driving a car in winter snow )
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Definitely sounds like fun!
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sue – )
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It is so unnaturally warm here in Ireland, yet my youngest still says every day “I’d say it will snow for Christmas”. It has snowed maybe twice in 10 years at Christmas here in Cork.
Sounds like you had, as we’d say “great crack”.
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tric – tell your little one we have plenty to go around. and i love that saying, great crack!
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I enjoyed your post, Beth. I was curious though, what’s the discount if you are a sombrero wearing geezer who is shorter than Phil? Reading your post was a most enjoyable way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon … Thanks!
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3 bones – happy you enjoyed it, and i suppose using flatsnoot math, they would then have to pay you to take a tree home )
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Perhaps, but there is no way I would ever take it … Merry Christmas, Beth …
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i agree, and u2 )
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That’s lovely – looks like those guys enjoy what they do :-)
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eric – oh they certainly do )
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I would have to check out anything called Flatsnoots. What a great place and a fun time.
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portsong – yes, i agree and i think that is exactly what drew me to them in the first place. that, and the colorful vintage trailer they hang out in. )
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Now that sounds like a place to a Christmas tree. I wanna go there.
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danielle – it is holiday magic at its finest )
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Excellent driving. :) Love that they gave you schnapps for the ride home.
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andra – thanks and isn’t that the best ?
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Looking forward to pics of the tree all trimmed. :-)
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nancy – thanks )
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What’s a little trip over the curb among friends. LOL Flatsnoots sounds like my kinda place.
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thanks brenda, that’s the spirit, and i’m sure you would love it )
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I’m jealous! I haven’t seen a place even remotely like that for several decades. Possibly not since I was a kid.
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i loved every minute of it too )
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Merry Christmas. Have a great time this festive season and a wonderful year ahead.
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thank you, and you too )
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Oh, this is great. :D What are the holidays if not a bit zany?
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thank you, and you are right, a bit of zany is so important )
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Nice story beth and love the tracks, 🍀
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thanks, mm )
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Post, Awesome: (why?) Part of the magnificence of blogs lies in the profound mix of images and writing. I was lifted up out of a Monday funk this morning by both. Flatsnoots is now on my bucket list. That middle picture of the the guys holding up their coffee (HA!!) is really cool. And the picture of the car in a no-fly zone … I imagined you in that car with an Indiana Jones expression. Thanks for this. This is the kind of thing that feeds the souls of writers. Peace. T
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wow t, that was so nice. happy to get you out of your funk, and yes, the indy jones expression was quite accurate. b
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So funny! There are a lot of real characters out there! I love the title, channeling Chevy Chase and his vacation movies. So appropriate and smart! Good post, Beth!
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robin, yes, fortunately there are lots of characters to be found in the world,and when we find them, we have to embrace them. ) thanks – b
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What an entrance I love it, and I also love that Lampoons Christmas Vacation movie, especially the girl in the red swimsuit, well not just that part but what an awesome film, I should know, I watch it every Christmastime :) lmao
Over Christmas I will be raising a few glasses of wine to you
my dear and sweet friend, oh and scoffing a few mince pies too :) lol
Andro xxxx
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thanks andro, and here’s to you )
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love that they poured you some schnapps :-)
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me too, nothing like an unexpected shot of hot damn to welcome in the holiday spirit )
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Wow! What a BARGAIN! And all the fun, too? We don’t get a fraction of such an adventure in California, where I live. Woe is me.
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a bargain indeed!
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Jeez. I won’t tell you what our tree here in waaaay tooo pricey Copenhagen cost.
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you need to get to flatsnoot’s in the states asap )
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I Nominate you for A Christmas Bouquet – Awards – Ajaytao – 48 Nominations
please choose any 3 awards out of the 48
accept it and oblige
there are no linkbacks for this award
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thank you so much, this is very kind and i especially like that you do not follow rules. i am the same ) beth
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thank you dear :) :)
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So fun!!!!
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it was )
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I can see you sailing through the air and laughing all the way. Thanks for the smile you brought me today.
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it was my pleasure, sheri. we can all use a little holiday cheer now and then ) beth
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