Booming Banter

Last night we ate ice cream and watched the tree lighting show at the Rockefeller Center. It was great!

People, including Ma who have visited, say that the Rockefeller tree is the most wonderful in the world. It’s always big. Even I couldn’t make a major mark on it!

This years poor tree though got a lot of criticism for being straggly when it arrived from upstate New York some weeks ago. Typical of 2020 many said.

It was extra special too because a little owl was found in it, rescued, recovered and eventually released This was seen as a sign of hope for better days ahead.

Last night proved that the skeptics were wrong. After a lot of rest and pampering the tree turned out to be awesome.

It has a gazillion lights and rumor says even got branches bonded into it.

Not exactly a one hundred percent natural beauty like myself but a big statement to end a very remarkable year.

Blessing # 898 – Extensions

Ma and I went for a trot around town last evening. It sure is pretty as all the decorations are up.

Don’t you think people have gone out of their way to make things look pretty this year? Makes you feel all festive.

Many indoor activities can’t happen though like our usual party but outdoor fun like enjoying the lights hasn’t changed.

We have a big show at the zoo here that’s first class for humans but I can’t go but as I might frighten the lions.

We decided we’re going to chill and watch all the classic movies. We plan to grab some that we’ve heard of but never watched before. We started with « It’s a Beautiful Life » We’d heard it was great but had never seen it before. Bit overrated we thought! We’d rather have good old Charlie Brown. There’s a dog star in that!

What are you doing this year that you haven’t done before?

Just as long as Santa is still working we’ll all be fine. Even those pesky deer!

Blessing # 897 – Old & New

As soon as we get up Ma takes me out back for a quick leak!

This morning it was so exciting because there was about three inches of fresh powdery snow. Heaven.

I love it. Makes me super energetic and frisky. Nearly pulled old Ma off her feet with all my exuberance.

Makes the illuminations look pretty too!

It gets between your toes though and makes me look like a Yeti. It also creates a bit if a mess when it melts inside but sure that’s the price you have to pay for fun.

We got our second outing once Ma was fortified with that stuff that makes her normal. It stinks but there again if it brings the desired effect I’ll tolerate anything.

Blessing # 896 – Black & White

It’s got cold overnight and the snow is now coming which may explain some things. We have a new house guest or more likely a family.

The bro hangs out in the basement. It’s his man cave. He snacks a lot and Ma is always yelling about the mess and that food lies all around the place « we’ll get mice »

Well guess what! As always Ma got it right.

He emerged from underground to inform us that he’d spotted one. That sent Ma into a tizzy of « I told you so! » She is so mean when she’s like that.

He had to fix the traps himself.

I told him my nose was made for sniffing out such critters and I’d be a great mouser. Just look up my nostrils! But herself said no!

I have to keep clear of the basement Incase my tootsie gets caught in a trap.

Zut alors! All I want to do is help and work on my innate talents!

Blessing # 895 – Indoor Activities

I was naughty this morning. Ma was being kind letting me run in the neighborhood when we went walking but I spied some deer and took off.

I didn’t catch any but I gave herself a great workout running after me through some unknown persons yard!

I’m fed up with deer they never play fair. Worse I’m now surrounded by them. There is no escape even indoors.

I understand they have some sort of intimate relationship with that Santa dude.

Maybe I’ll get him to bring me a toy one for Christmas so I can give it a good squeak!

Better suck up to Ma so she tells the man in the big suit or at least that team leader of his with the red nose!

Blessing # 894 – Rudolph

Ma and me went to the forest this morning. We saw a lot of beautiful red cardinals. One of you bird lovers must know why there are so many out at the moment.

Ma said the scene looked just like one of her recent rescued treasures. It’s an original watercolor by a local artist. She has it set to go to market in the garage.

Must say she has the eye but she needs a steadier hand. When she went just now to take a photo of the picture she dropped a little porcelain statue sitting on top of it. Puts new meaning to a fallen Angel. Thank goodness we have super glue. It’s destiny is now in our family as she couldn’t sell a broken piece.

Anyway we digress. The forest has now come indoors.

Must remember it’s not for real when I’m in a hurry.

Pity it has to go where I do my look out. I’ll take care when I’m guarding just in case another Angel takes a tumble.

Blessing # 893 – Evergreens

That Turkey is good stuff! So is the stuffing. Gives you lots of energy. We were up at 6:00 and out of the house before 8:00 to take new stock to the antique booth.

Ma was quick because she knew where everything was going to be placed and then we took to the trail.

Man I was ready for a run. Needed to feel that wind in my face and shake off those cobwebs. Ma couldn’t keep up with me I was way ahead!

It was great! Not a soul around except us and the squirrels.

We saw the smallest one ever. Either it has a growth impairment or it was a baby.

I pointed out that it could have been a perfect snack but Ma said NO SCOOBY in her scary voice.

When we got back she took to cleaning the garage. It was literally a process of digging out of her treasure (aka garbage) to get to the Christmas Decorations.

It took her six hours but the decor is now accessible so we know already what tomorrow brings.

Blessing # 892 – Clearings

Our thanksgiving is pretty much as usual as we’re a small family. For those accustomed to big gatherings it must be very strange.

We may be small but we are mighty and don’t do anything on a small scale though. In fact for some reason Ma got an even bigger bird. It’s like a young ostrich.

While it’s cooking slowly we were so happy to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For so many people today it will bring a sense of normality in a changed world. It was really great and we sang along with all the songs.

They even had the Irish Pipes of the NY Fire Brigade. They played America the Beautiful. Seems that when they play you can hear them ten miles away! Wow. They were great.

After the Parade we made the stuffing and watched the The National Dog Show. Another great thanksgiving day tradition.

Just as long as my Ma doesn’t get any ideas about hair styles. I saw her looking closely at that Irish Wheaten Terrier.

The bro is working till three so he has said we must eat when he arrives home as he’s starving himself all day to make room for the feast. We’re ready to roll. Which reminds me we forgot to cook them! Still time to stick them in the oven and some space too now that the critter is « resting »

Blessing # 891 – Ticking the Traditional Boxes

It’s not taking time to rain today. Absolutely drenched we were on our morning trot.

Ma dried me quickly so I didn’t stink too much and then disappeared.

The bro had to move out of his dorm and won’t be back there till January so she went to help him shift his stuff. I wasn’t allowed to go but I can tell this story because I heard her recount it all to Dad.

When she got there he was standing outside in shorts and a tea shirt looking like a drowned rat. He’d finished packing his car and all she had to put in hers were his leftover groceries. « Why the heck did she drive all the way there just for that »

While he went to drop off his keys Ma called her pal Paula to recount the latest update on the heating and cooling fiasco!

Now here’s the funny thing. Paula had bought some furniture for her boutique, where else but ten miles from where Aaron goes to college.

Paula was planning to pick it up in her truck but it would have been soaked before she got it all the way back to where she lives so she asked Mum if she could get it in her car. Sure! That made sense!

So off Aaron went home and off Ma went into the wilds to handle the consignment.

Some new roads were travelled and deep in the woods the pick up was made.

It felt like an adventure in the wilds.

There were cows grazing on hillsides.

There was an old wooden Church.

There was even little old log cabins.

Ma said it was like taking a trip back in time and she felt a bit like a pilgrim out there.

Now she’s back home and I’m glad to say so is the bro. He’s by far the best player I know!

Blessing # 890 – Hill Country

Don’t tell anyone but thats a cookie crumb on my nose.

For the project we have had to taste and try before we buy.

Right now we are into finding the best suppliers of all the goodies we’ll need for afternoon tea.

Scones are difficult to source in Ohio. You could find them in every little bakery in Ireland.

Cookies are a different matter. We ate a box of samples last night from the best bakery in the tearoom town.

Dad decided he had to show that his were just as good so he took to cooking some this morning.

Am I complaining am I heck!

Blessing # 889 – Taking the Biscuit.