4 December 17

Celebrating "Fir Tree Day" (on the French Republican Calendar) with my first of several Christmas tree ties this year. One of my office companions is a Norfolk Island "Pine," who is nicknamed Phillip, from part of his Latin species name Araucaria heterophylla. Norfolk Island "pines" are not pine trees, being part of the "monkey puzzle tree" family. According to one helpful Web site, Phillip's flat needles place him in the category of fir trees, so it's appropriate to include him today. My tie includes a button that chirps "Silent Night."