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Friday, November 18, 2011

Do you know the way to Mount Crumpet?

One of my favorite Holiday traditions is the Dr. Suess tale of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  As a child the day was determined in advance via a thorough reading of little magazine TV guide.  For 30 minutes, Mom would know Peace on Earth while 5 kids ceased their arguing over what to watch.

When I got older and lived on my own I developed a degree of cynicism and wondered about the similarity in the eyes of Cindyloo Who and the Grinch and surmised that she was his illegitimate daughter...but my 20 something cynicism would evaporate when the Grinch's heart grew 3 times.

Thankfully I, like most young people got over that awful stage embraced the sweetness of the Whos and Max the dog. 

As the 2011 season begins unfolding I have been receiving messages reminding me that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus (although it not celebrated in July when historians suspect Christ was actually born but near the time when non-Christians used to celebrate the winter solstice)  and that I should not wish people Happy Holidays, or Seasons Greeting but I MUST as a christian,  albeit extremely lapsed catholic  christian,  NOT conform to political correctness.  Yadda yadda yadda, this Christ in Christmas thing has been going on for a few years now.  I go to church for weddings and funerals these days....not even the holy holidays of Christmas and Easter are enough to lure me away from a barbecue or 10 course meal. In honesty I call myself christian because none of the other boxes apply. 

On top of the responsibility of keeping Christ in Christmas I am now being reminded that due to the economic problems I must fuel the economy and forgo any issues that I might have about the commercialism of Christmas and Shop Shop Shop.  But I must shop with a patriotic conscience.  No products made in China and I must not leave the country and go (actually sneak) across the border looking for bargains in Buffalo.

Tomorrow the Santa Clause parade will run through downtown and Santa will set up in the Eaton Centre, what most people consider to be the kickoff to the Christmas season.  This year when I watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas I have a feeling I will be looking at that cave at the top of Mount Crumpet far away from all of the silliness of telling people how to keep the holiday, excuse me "Christmas" with envy. 

Whether the celebration is of a holiday, a season, or of Christmas I just wish that it could be a time for everybody to have time with loved ones and indulge in whatever brings them joy.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Happy Days are here

Although unintended;  this blog seems to have more unhappy posts than happy ones.

Well the times they are a changing my friends.  I am thrilled to say that Icarus went to his forever home yesterday evening. 

Monday evening I pulled into a copy centre, showed the girl at the counter a couple of pics to the girl and asked her to put them on a poster that said "Free to A Good Home". Unfortunately I did not bring a cable so we arranged that I would e-mail the pics and pick up the posters the next day.

I called in the morning to make sure that the e-mail was received.  The copy lady opened the e-mail while I was on the phone and made wonderful oooh and awe noises when she seen the pics.  When I went to pick up the copies at noon we chatted about our cats, and the circumstances behind Icarus coming to me. 

At the end of my work day I had made a list of pet stores, and vet offices that I was going to ask to post the posters at.  My phone rings and it is the copy lady to tell me that Icarus has been on her mind all day, and that she and her boyfriend wanted to adopt him.  I could not refrain from doing a "Yippee"

They arrived yesterday evening while kitties were having their dinner.  We chatted while kitten finished eating.  Then his new mom and dad put him into their carrier and they drove off into their future.

My friends and family had been concerned that I would miss this kitten terribly.  I have had to say goodbye to so many animals that had claimed a piece of my heart....

This goodbye was totally different.  For 30 seconds I was a bit sad.  I sat down and


Immediately my lap was filled with Remington and Dude.  They wanted pets and chin rubs and belly rubs.  They rewarded me with purs and purrrs and purrrrrrs

Of course I miss Icarus, but even more I am happy that he is in a good home....

Live well precious little kitty.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Okay it is Official

Icarus; the adorable kitten that was brought to my door several weeks ago is ready to be adopted to a forever home.

I have been dragging my heels because I have become quite smitten with him.  Remington and Dude love that he wants to be their favorite toy and I think they will miss him.  Although she would never admit it I think even Sooty will miss him.  His Icarus spirit is a joy to watch as he pounces onto a snarling Sooty and makes her walk away I have to smile.

If you or anybody you know is ready to welcome a brash but lovalbe little formerly feral kitten into their homes please contact me at donna.hicken@sympatico.ca