Christmas Countdown Begins

December has arrived, and the Christmas countdown begins, although for advertisers it began several weeks ago. This will be about the first time in ten or so years that I spend Christmas with my Mississippi family, so it will be a special Christmas for me.

Our first Christmas task was to bring out the Christmas decorations and set up the first tree. I say first because rumor has it there are many more. We will see, since that's not a fact that I have any first-hand experience with yet. My son, granddaughter and I worked on building the first tree since my daughter-in-law and grandson were both working today.

My granddaughter easily convinced us both it was time for a break in the early afternoon, which included a visit to Starbucks (where her Mommy works) and then a search and find mission for a book she got excited about at school last week.

We were out to find "Walk On," by Alan Williams, although we did not know he was the author when we began our search. Daddy was supportive of finding a book that interested her so much, so we persisted and in fact were successful.

Here it is. She began to read it aloud to us at once. It promises to be worthwhile, the story of an athlete who devoted his life to his sport, basketball, successfully, but never became a star. He was just a good, supportive team member. How refreshing to celebrate someone who puts his heart into what he does and still does not come out on top, since most of us do *not* come out on top.

Chorro has not settled in well here. Cats continue to live in the house and that worries him to no end. He would like to be in the house on the lookout every moment and, contrary to his former preferences, does not want to be outside. No cats outside.

Here are his four-legged relatives in Mississippi. Some were more willing to pose for pictures than others. These are all 'personality' pets.

Xena, at two, hasn't gotten over being happy to be a part of the family and as the newest member, she is the little kid who is excited about everything and content with next to nothing. She is a little taller than Chorro and wants to play with him. He thinks he has more important things to do.

Shebie is a queen, like her namesake, and will not run from Chorro. She doesn't like him but knows that it is our job, not hers, to keep him in line. He surprised her with a short-leash lunge when I snapped this picture.

Lucy is the recluse and a very timid she-kitty. Her biggest fear is that she will be unable to walk through the family room to get to the litter box because Chorro is there. If Chorro IS there, and she can't get through, the middle of somebody's bed works well for her too, so the rest of the family also fears that Chorro will be in the room when she wants through to go to the litter box.

Spike would be more than a match for Chorro if he hadn't been de-clawed in his youth. Spike is tough. Spike and Chorro have long staring matches. Neither blinks. Spike moves when Chorro lunges, but not very far because he gets the big picture and knows Chorro's leash lets him move about two feet forward.

Tonight my grandson played with his school band at a Christmas festival opening the Christmas season in this community. Since it was a very warm day, my son and granddaughter wore shorts and t-shirts. Since I'm from Montana, I wore jeans, heavy socks, t-shirt and denim shirt. I was plenty warm but they were plenty chilly! I took pictures but turns out we were at the Concert in the Dark, so I will spare you those.

And tomorrow is another day.