25 Responses to “RICHARD AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE”

1. Pat says:

   January 7, 2010 at 6:27 am

   Any pic of the famous Christmas tree you maybe could post here, Jane? I’m sure that all of us, your followers through Facebook, Twitter and your wonderful blog, would like to take a look at the tree. Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

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2. Penelope Young says:

   January 7, 2010 at 7:05 am

   Dear Jane

   I used to feel the stress of christmas until I realised that I can only be responsible for my happiness, no-one elses.

   We all react to all kinds of situations in differing ways. You and your family could have a hundred things go wrong with christmas and still have a wonderful time. It all depends on everyone’s attitude, not just yours.

   Next christmas when you feel that stress rising, just remind yourself that you are only responsible for your own happiness.

   Richard obviously makes you happy. Treasure him and your relationship together.

   Kind regards……….Penelope

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   • Jane says:

     January 8, 2010 at 5:53 pm

     Wise words, indeed. Thanks, Penelope

     Reply
3. Jason says:

   January 7, 2010 at 10:25 am

   Hi Jane,

   Hilarious!! And how romantic! Bet you’ll never forget THAT tree.

   Did you take photographs of it?

   Take care
   Jason

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4. Lorena Sulbarán Guerrero says:

   January 7, 2010 at 10:38 am

   Breathing is the miracle of life, deep breathing again and again, breathe makes us feel alive. Happy new year and thanks for allowing me the honor of being among fans to Jane Fonda. Abrazos para ustedes desde Venezuela.

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5. Sabrina says:

   January 7, 2010 at 12:28 pm

   I think it’s adorable, too, that your Richard is still discovering the tree. My (grown!) son and I did ours on Christmsa Eve and I am happy to still sit by it at night and soak it in. I am only now reading “My Life So Far” and have to thank you for keeping me company in the long nights of bronchitis these past two weeks. When I can’t sleep due to the coughing, I prop myself up with your book. Your writing is brave and deep, Jane.

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   • Jane says:

     January 8, 2010 at 5:52 pm

     Thanks, Sabrina. That makes me feel great

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6. millie says:

   January 7, 2010 at 12:29 pm

   Totally understand Richard’s Christmas tree feelings! Am having same about mine, my first artificial ‘mini’ (in middle of a real wreath) on entry table filled with my smallest size decorations collected over the years. Found two round ones with places to insert tiny photos (I copied a closeup of my late husband’s face, then trimmed it to fit). I thought I’d miss my living tree but now in the ‘downsizing’ stage of life, have found the answer and even those very much against ‘artificial’ have been won over!!! I write this with a very heavy heart after reading about the women of the Congo but thank you at the same time for bringing the horror to our attention.xx

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7. Bill says:

   January 7, 2010 at 1:09 pm

   Jane-
   I’m sure you always get it right. Leave yourself alone. Just from the pictures…it looks like you made a wonderful Holiday for everyone. God, when do we stop thinking we never do enough! Rest….Enjoy….Relax….with your new love.

   All the best,
   Bill

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8. Bill says:

   January 7, 2010 at 1:49 pm

   Happy New Year, Jane!

   We would love to see your tree!!!

   Health, happiness and prosperity
   Bill

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9. Andrew Keenan says:

   January 7, 2010 at 3:40 pm

   I’d leave the tree up until Feb. if Judy would let me. We miss you here in Atlanta! Happy belated birthday.

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   • Jane says:

     January 8, 2010 at 5:51 pm

     Thanks, Andrew. Vanessa tells me it’s snowing and really cold so for now, glad I’m here.

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10. Susan K. says:

    January 7, 2010 at 5:29 pm

    I think it’s just fine that Richard wants to keep the tree up longer! It’s so great that it’s brought him so much enjoyment! By decorating the tree so lovely you gave him his favorite present of the season! Christmas trees can have that affect on people! Your tree sounds so beautiful, Jane! I wish we could see it!?

    I heard a story about my mother-in-law when she was a child. Her mother told me one year when she was very young she didn’t let her parents take the tree down until the end of February! I can’t imagine how that tree must have looked by that time!!!

    Yes, I know what you mean about being able to “breathe” easily again after the holidays! There is a certain amount of stress during the holidays for all the reasons you described! I go through that every year! Good luck with your writing!

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11. Patricia says:

    January 7, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    So happy you had a lovely, though busy Christmas, Jane. I feel exactly the same way you do about the holidays being over and the sense of relief. When our children are married, especially if they have blended families, I always worry about getting it all right. But, the last few Christmases, I’ve managed to enjoy myself, too. For my entire life, I’ve had to work on my issues of trying to be as perfect as possible, and not ever coming close! I think I’ve made some (a little, anyway!) progress in relaxing those expectations for myself a bit in my 73 years. But, you know, overall, I’ve never been happier, more relaxed, more at peace with myself, more in love with my loved ones and life. So, dear Jane, I know we all are going to have a wonderful, wonderful New Year, one that defies all expectations! Much love, Patricia

    p.s. So glad that Richard loved the Christmas tree. I know how he feels!

    Reply
    • Jane says:

      January 8, 2010 at 5:46 pm

      Patricia, can you wrote me why you think, at this age, you say you’ve never been happier, etc. I’m writing a book about aging and would love to know. I feel the same way, by the way. I feel I was born to be in my 70s. xxx

      Reply
12. frederique dhenein says:

    January 8, 2010 at 4:00 am

    always reading you with pleasure,so to the next time .Frederique Dhenein.

    Reply
13. Bill says:

    January 8, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    Hi Jane-
    Well….we lost the right to be full citizens of New Jersey yesterday. I can’t say I’m surprised….just very sad and angry. I can say, that as of yesterday I’m no longer a Democrat. I’ve given up on this party. It’s been too long that they have taken for granted the votes of gays, women, and racial minorities. From now on, I vote for no one who will not publicly say they are for gay equality in all aspects. It’s time the Democratic party takes us seriously!! I’d also like everyone to urge President Obama to end Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, at the very least…..beings he sees fit to send more troops. If we can die for so called freedom, we should be able to live with it as well!!! Thanks, Jane…sorry if I come off a little revved up.

    Bill

    Reply
    • Jane says:

      January 8, 2010 at 5:44 pm

      Keep being revved up, Bill. Wish there were more like you. I didn’t realize how bad Don’t ask/Don’t tell was till my actor son, TRoy Garity, made a film for Showtime called “Soldier’s Girl.” (He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance…the film is well worth watching.

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14. joe stanford says:

    January 8, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    Hi Jane,
    I am usually so sick of the whole xmas thing that I take it down the day after!
    i WORK IN RETAIL-MALL HOURS LAST WEEK BEFORE XMAS 8AM TO 11PM- so this year I didn’t even have a tree, just white lights on the mantle-
    I so enjoy your blog and constantly am impressed at how beautiful you are inside and out!
    Happy 2010!
    Joe

    Reply
15. Karen says:

    January 8, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    Jane, if you want to get the tree down, just say that it is bad luck to have it up still after the 6th. Otherwise, enjoy the moment, sounds sweet that he’s checking out all of your work. Not many men would be so thoughtful.

    Reply
    • Jane says:

      January 8, 2010 at 5:41 pm

      Ain’t that the truth. I’m lucky.

      Reply
16. Roberta says:

    January 8, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    jane,

    Wish we could see your tree! Do you have any photos?

    Reply
    • Jane says:

      January 8, 2010 at 5:26 pm

      I have lost my camera and can’t find anyone with a camera that can transfer photos to computer. Yu’ll have to imagine. sorry. Jane

      Reply
      • Timothy Dougherty says:

        January 11, 2010 at 1:04 am

        you lost your camera, that is a sad state of affairs when you can loss something like that.

        sad hope someone will give you a nice one, soon.
        Sometime the written image can give up something in the translations , you can have a English or French Image? of a tree

        Reply
17. Colleen says:

    January 12, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    Years ago, my sister loved her (plastic) Christmas tree so much, she kept it up through July. So more power to Richard!

    I love your blog posts. They’re fun, thought-provoking, human, educational.

    Happy 2010, Colleen

    Reply

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