Songs by which to take down the Christmas tree

I know, I know, but we’ve been intensely busy, and tired in the evenings. Do you have any idea how many strings of grape lights a determined woman can put on one 6-foot tree? Still, the takedown is a bit easier than the up-put. Some nasty things are finally getting thrown out (nothing precious or handmade, don’t worry — the clothespin reindeer will survive). Apparently, the music to do this to is off-kilter Elvis Costello, meaning the “Bespoke Songs” collection of odd covers, and Anne Sofie von Otter’s collaboration. Most of it is usually too jazzy and way too down for me, but today it was perfect for putting away ornaments with brilliant sunshine streaming through the windows and heating up the room, sprays of dust coming off the tree as I moved the branches. And I think it’s also the perfect music to put behind my iPhoto slide shows, so that’s the next thing to work up (currently, it’s Sarah McLachlan’s “Building a Mystery”) (for those keeping track).