Something festive this way came...

eeee
Well, I did it. I made my Christmas entrance in the church yesterday to the ooohs and aaahs of all the cat lovers in the front pews along with "others" who graciously had their arms twisted. I love Christmas! It's the only time that I can even begin to tolerate a bell around my neck, but there I was, fur fluffed, red ribbon, bell and a special seat next to the altar. Someone even hung mistletoe over it! My arrival was a tad late so I could criss-cross--cross, get it?--the altar steps to get to my seat. Ever hear people chuckling while they're singing a hymn? I loved it.

Mrs. Gubbers did remember to bring her ecstacy-sized oval mound of ground fish with imperial crab and jingle bells. Mary Lou made me a special treat of chicken crunch glazed in Jack's favorite libation (you're not supposed to ask what that is). With all the treats I get, it's a wonder I'm not a hundred pounds. Will, a persnickety putz all other times, got me a really cool toy that's red and jumps all around. A laser, I think he called it. Jack presented me with a stocking that had a rubber chicken sticking out of it and a smaller one in the toe (boy, did I call that wrong). Seeing me with it in my mouth like it was a mouse was the funniest thing ever.

Well, it's all quiet now, the sky's dark and snowy. I don't know where anybody is at the moment. But, no matter. It's glittery and bright inside with shadows I can watch.

The rectory's lit up like some ancient castle with lights flickering in every corner. I think somebody gave Mary Lou a bunch of candles and she's put every single one of them around.  I'm just waiting for the creak of a drawbridge and a toothless man with a cudgel...

                                                                                                 --Tom