We have been having a lot of quiet days lately, easing into the blue dawn.
Miss Sadie was wistful when she realized that I was going to North Carolina. On the one paw, she wanted to go with me. On another paw, she was still recovering from the excitement of visiting Baxter the Innocent and Lucy the Sleek. On the third paw . . . never mind. She wished me bon voyage and went back to sleep in her pile of cushions and blankets. She snores.
I believe I should tell you a story about holiday traditions in my family. I do not know how this particular tradition began, but far back in the mists of time my sisters began to pass around this fellow, wrapped beautifully, hidden artfully, calculated to . . . surprise.
OK, not necessarily that particular fellow—various versions have appeared over the years. This one appeared in my bed on Thanksgiving. I have grown blase about these things. I put him to work guarding the chocolate bar that was left on my bedside table.
My sisters are thoughtful hosts. The guest bathroom was well stocked with lotions and potions and nice-smelling things to replace the nice-smelling things TSA made me throw away at the airport. Also an official greeter.
All in all, it makes for a lively time. Christmas morning can get fairly hectic as sisters try to figure out which packages contain . . . surprises . . . and which may be torn into with abandon. In my family, when we say Oh you shouldn’t have! we really mean it. But there are compensations. We all keep dogs and/or cats. This is Molly. She is an extremely well-behaved labrador-poodle mix.
My sister Mary keeps goats and laying hens. That’s another post entirely. Have a pleasant weekend. I’m going to go wrap some surprises.
Torch Lake Views 
Nye
December 4, 2010
I wonder what TSA thought when they saw your official greeter, I’m sure they’re not amused. 🙂
Gerry
December 4, 2010
Ah. The official greeter was in the guest bathroom and I left it there. I already have an excellent supply of snakes from years gone by. Some are quite attractive. It occurs to me that I should have sent each sister a box of excellent Michigan apples . . . with a snake. Ah well, too late. That will have to wait for next fall.
Fee
December 4, 2010
Wrapped up snakes – must try that one! A favourite in our family for many years was to pinch a cheque out of the recipient’s cheque book, and make it payable to them for a huuuuge sum of money. Then sit back, and watch the face go from sheer delight to disgust in the blink of an eye…. we’re quite a wicked lot, at times.
Gerry
December 4, 2010
I think that’s an excellent thought. The opportunity is rapidly disappearing, though, what with online banking and debit cards. All the romance has gone out of things hasn’t it?
I can tell that you are a wicked lot. I have a feeling that every piece of mischief you read about here finds its way into daily life in an unsuspecting Scottish household.
Karma
December 4, 2010
What an adorable tradition! Snakes adorable? Well, maybe not really, but the one in the basket is rather cute. I think it is great when things like this begin. In fact, I am going to a holiday get-together with friends that I have been friends with for 20+ years today. Last year a silly swap tradition was begun with a gift that will likely be passed around for the next 20 years.
Gerry
December 4, 2010
You would make an excellent Sell Sister.
Molly
December 4, 2010
My extended family had a similar tradition with particularly hideous owls. Alas, the less mischievous of us offed the owls one year and they’ve not been heard from since the Nineties. I keep hoping they’ll show up again one of these years….
Glad you had a good visit in the south land.
Gerry
December 4, 2010
Owls, eh? Owls eat snakes . . .
They tried to eat Miss Puss, too, one year, but she wasn’t having any and defended herself ably. She is an astonishingly fierce little cat.
I digress.
I had a lovely time in the south land, thank you.
Anna
December 5, 2010
I love the way you tell it. ….smile…. “… but far back in the mists of time my sisters began to pass around this fellow, wrapped beautifully, hidden artfully, calculated to . . . surprise.” What a wonderful little tradition.
Great photos of the pooches, and I do especially like Molly, the labrador-poodle mix, in which reminds me of my beloved poodle mix, Sassy.
Gerry
December 5, 2010
Oh dear, now Miss Sadie and the Cowboy are pouting.
P.j. grath
December 5, 2010
Love the shot of the Cowboy gazing out the window—and wistful Sadie–but–!!! I’ve finally figured out what confuses me so about your companions, Gerry. Cover their ears–or, rather, their eyes–or don’t read this out loud, at any rate, but the Cowboy looks as if he should be called Miss Sadie, and Miss Sadie looks like a Cowboy. There, I’ve said it. Were their bracelets switched in the puppy hospital nursery?
The snake is great. We have rubber rats.
Gerry
December 5, 2010
Rubber rats?!? OK, you would probably be a great Sell Sister, but a scary one.
People are always saying Oh! That’s Miss Sadie and the Cowboy! and then greeting the fluffy Cowboy as Miss Sadie. If they got close enough to smell him they’d know better. Miss Sadie thinks it’s funny. She has an enormous amount of self-confidence. The Cowboy just doesn’t care. He thinks fluffiness is attractive in any gender, and points out that most pet dogs are, um, gender-inspecific if we know what he means.
Rubber rats? Really?
flandrumhill
December 6, 2010
I love those sorts of surprises. Mind you it’s mostly me planting the surprises 😉
The last time I did something like that was last year when I placed an innocent rubber vampire bat in my friend Ruth’s purse. We’ll probably be exchanging gifts this Saturday and you’ve inspired me to see what the Dollar Store has in the way of snakes this holiday season 🙂 Poor Ruth.
Gerry
December 6, 2010
I never suspected this side of you Amylynn! It occurs to me what Ruth may have in mind for you . . .