The Holly And The Ivy

I brought my Ivy in after fall was quickly sliding toward freezing temperatures.  He is now sitting on the window sill above my kitchen sink.  Part of me is tempted to twist a hanger into an upward spiral, and grow Mr. Ives that way.  The other half of me wishes to just let him grow any which way, because that is what I would prefer God did with me sometimes.  But He usually has better things in mind.   Have any of you tried to grow your Ivy plants into a pattern of sorts?  What is the best way to go about it? 

 I should get a holly plant and name him Currier.  

And now, since it is December, here are the words to one of my favorite Christmas Carol.  It is an English Carol from the fifteenth-century and apropos on a blog about plants and gardening.    

The Holly And The Ivy

THe Holly and the Ivy, 

When they are both full grown

Of all the trees are in the wood, 

the Holly bears the crown.

The Holly bears a blossom

As white as any flower;

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To be our sweet Saviour.

The Holly bears a berry

As red as any blood;

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ 

To do poor sinners good.

The Holly bears a prickle

As sharp as any thorn;

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

On Christmas in the morn. 

The Holly bears a bark

As bitter as any gall;

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

For to redeem us all. 

The Holly and the Ivy

Now both are full well grown:

Of all the trees are in the wood

The Holly bears the crown.