Christmas Eve in Colorado

It was dark and cold - 18 degrees (F) - when I got up and started my daily rounds this morning.  My kits were not happy that the alarm went off earlier than usual, and while I was preparing to leave, Nedi was winding up into his loudest rendition of the feline Hallelujah chorus.  Giving him a "special treat" for breakfast convinced him to be much more quiet, but I understand that he gave Beatrice a rousing vocal at 7 o'clock.
   Victor and Xena were happy to see a little earlier than usual, and scampered out into the back yard like the big kids they are...  It was still not yet full day, and the chickens decided not to leave the coop, so I had to go in and count nebs.  I had put out fresh, warm water for them, and given them cracked corn and some fresh garbanzo beans.  Then I gave the dogs their morning treats, and headed over to the Jack Russells'.
   Nicodemus is a smaller, tri-color Jack, who recently lost an eye to an infection we couldn't get rid of.  He was almost completely blind with cataracts at the age of 2, and he had surgery to remove those.  He was fine for 5 years, but something scratched the lens of his eye while out playing at Coot Lake, and it just would not clear up, or heal up.  The vet finally removed the eye two months ago.  Emmitt is a larger, almost all white, Jack with a few tan spots on his ear.  He's a rescue dog, having been kept in a cage in a basement for the first 5 years of his life.  He didn't know what grass was, and it took several years for him to get used to all the sights and sounds he encounters in the house and outdoors.  He's an extremely vigilant house protector, and barks at anything that moves in the yard or on the street.  Thank goodness they live on a small cu-de-sac!
   This evening I'll go visit Seek, a Spangled Bengal cat, and give her supper, love, and some playtime and grooming.  Her Mom will return late Sunday night, so I'll make three visits, in all, to see her.  She has a beautiful copper-colored coat with black swirls and dots - and huge green eyes...  She's a sweetheart.
   And, of course, I'll spend cuddle time with Lovey and Nedi today, too. - I've finished my Christmas shopping, and just picked up a gift from Rosie's parents/owners from Mike's Camera.  I couldn't believe how wonderful and generous these folks are - They bought me a complete package of the Canon Rebel EOS T6, with the regular and the zoom lens, care and protective items, and $300 worth of coupons for free photos, classes, and all sorts of things...  
    For all of you who are my friends, I am very blessed to know all of you...
  May Christmas bring you peace, joy, and great happiness!

Saint Nicholas's Companion

The Day of Saint Nicholas is observed on December 6; sometime in the eleventh century, in the Holy Roman Empire, children of merchants and other upper class citizens began putting their shoes outside their doors, the night before.  If the was child was good, they found a small coin or a baked treat inside their shoe in the morning; if the child had been misbehaving, they found either rocks, coal, or switches inside their shoe.
   The Christian church needed a High Holiday to compare with Yule, or the Winter Solstice.  They decided to celebrate the birth of the Christ child on December 25, and to have a special Christ's Mass to celebrate the day.  Household spirits, kobald and tomten, became helping elves, sometimes mischievous, for Saint Nicholas.
   Most notably in the areas encompassed by the Holy Roman Empire, Saint Nicholas suddenly had a "partner" on his  Feast Day's eve, and also on Christmas Eve - the Krampus.  Krampus has large curving horns, an extremely long tongue, one leg ends in a cloven hoof, the other in a bear paw.  He has large claws on his hands, and is covered with long dark hair (or fur).  In one hand he carries a bundle of birch switches, and in the other, a chain with bells and manacles.  Krampus' name is derived from the German word krampen, which means claw; he is said to be the son of the god Hel in Norse mythology.
   While Saint Nicholas brought toys, gifts, and food to good children, Krampus abducted bad children in chains and beat them with the birch switches until they promised to be good.  Some said the bad children were taken to Krampus' lair in the woods outside of town; others said they were taken to Hell and then released.  A few of the tales had Krampus transporting the bad children away in a sack thrown over his shoulder.
   Krampus was suppressed by the Catholic Church for many years, due to the raucous and drunken celebrations that seem to accompany him.  The fascists in World War II Europe thought Krampus was despicable because he was considered a creation of the Social Democrats.
  Currently, a modern take on the tradition of Krampus in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic involves men dressed as Krampus, in "devil" suits and masks, who take over the streets of towns on the night of December 5.  Participants in the Krampuslauf  have usually partaken of schnapps and other alcoholic beverages, and chase normal residents through the streets.
   Krampus is making a come-back now, thanks to the younger generation seeking ways to celebrate Yuletide in non-traditional ways.  In the United States, people are "buying in" to the trend for Krampus parties, as an anti-Christmas celebration.  In Austria, commercialization of Krampus is underway  with the selling of Krampus chocolates, figurines, and collectible horns.

Baby Shower and Ancestry Search

I had a blast at my nephew and his wife's Baby Shower yesterday.  It was a short, but sweet version - with all kinds of finger foods, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks.  Erin's Mother, her partner, and a couple of friends produced a spread that looked like it was professionally catered.  I was actually surprised by the Shower, as I never received an invitation, which Janet (Erin's Mom) had sent through the mail.  I happened to run into Mike while he was visiting Jim and Kathy late Saturday afternoon, and he asked if I was going to be there... I felt quite stupid when I asked where and for what...  So I buzzed out yesterday morning and purchased a bunch of small gifts suitable for a boy, along with a card and a gift bag.  Thank goodness some stores are open before noon on a Sunday!
   I think watching Erin and Mike opening their gifts was the highlight of the party, but one of the funniest was when they placed a glass vase in the center of the room and handed everyone a slip of paper and a blue pen to contribute name suggestions.  They say they haven't yet decided what names to give the little one - but they are certain it's a boy.  Several names were greeted with applause; some were very funny.  Keep in mind the parents surname is Snow...  The winner by consensus was: Winn Willitt Snow.  I'm pretty sure they won't actually name the boy that, but it was good for a laugh.
   I was excited to find that Ancestry.com had a free weekend access for British family records this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  But I found myself frustrated in my searches.  I was trying to find some trace of Thomas Nock, who was born somewhere in England, at some point in time during 1617 (according to his tombstone).  I know that he arrived in the colonies sometime before 1652, as he is noted in tax documents for 1653 as having established his home in New Hampshire "by 1652."  He married in 1653, here in the colonies; and he passed away in 1666, in New Hampshire.  I filled in all the known information  - in hope of finding something that would give me a clear-cut idea of where Thomas was born, and who his parents were.   No matter what I did, I couldn't get the "hits" found on Ancestry lower than 12,157.  My biggest complaint is that. perhaps 1 in 250 listings, met the year criteria.  I filled in his birth date as 1617, plus or 5 years.  I filled in his death date as 1666, and in the US.  I received "hits" on men named a variation of Thomas Nock up through the year 1940!  Grrrrrrr.   I realize that spelling was not a consistent factor at that time.  In the colonies, our name changed from Nock to Nocks to Knox, and then split into Knox and Nocks.  In England, the names vary from Knock, Knocke, Noak, Noake, Noakes, Nock, Nocke, Nockes,  Noke, and Nokes. I was just hoping to find one person born in 1617 that immigrated to the colonies around 1650...  It didn't happen.
   The two I found that fitted most closely were: (1) Thomas Nocke, baptized on 29 August 1619, in Lapley, Staffordshire, son of Edward and Alse Nocke of Lapley; and (2) Thomas Nokes, baptized on 8 June 1617 in Goudhurst, Kent, son of Robert Nokes....   Neither is a surety, and I'm certain there were many more I might have missed...  Ah, well....

Don't Give a Pet as a Christmas Present!

I am very happy to see that my blog post from December 6 last year is my most read post each day this month.  It, too, tells people not  to give animals as gifts.  More than 100,000 animals (dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc) are killed at "animal shelters" each week because they are no longer wanted, or convenient, items.
  - There are a few exceptions, I grant you.  Buying your young child a pet is acceptable, but only if you are willing to feed and take care of the animal.  Some children love a pet effusively for a day, or a week, and then don't want to be bothered by taking care of it.  If you are purchasing, through one of those wonderful charities, a goat, sheep, pig, chickens, or cow for an undeveloped village - you  have my thanks. If you're married, and are giving your spouse a riding horse, or a racing prospect (and have all of the monies needed for the long-term care of said equine), good on you. -
   Unfortunately, most pets given at Christmas or Easter, or on birthdays, will end up being killed at an "animal shelter."  If a friend, cohort, or partner really wants an animal, and is willing to spend the money necessary for food and veterinary visits; if the person has the time and energy to love and socialize the animal; if the person has the space for an animal, and it's allowed to live in  the apartment, condominium, or town house; if the person has the love to give, and the time to spend with a pet, then do it.  But - do not go to a breeder, unless you or the new owner intends to have a pedigreed show dog, cat, or rabbit.  Go to your local Humane Society, to your local Dumb Friends League, to your local animal shelter (where each animal is facing a death sentence), to your local animal Rescue groups, and/or check at a local veterinarian's office.  Take the person who is receiving the animal with you, and let him (or her) choose the animal they want.  Pay for the adoption; pay for the micro-chip; pay for a collar and leash, food for a week, kitty litter, if it's a cat; get toys for the pet.  BUT, if the person decides that the dog or cat or rabbit just doesn't fit into lives - you must be prepared to adopt the animal yourself.
   People today are extremely busy - I don't know how many of my friends and acquaintances exist, as they squeeze so many things that they feel they "must" do into a 24 hour period.  It's not really good for the people involved, and it's pure hell on their pets.
   Any adoption of any type of living, breathing creature means a commitment that lasts for that animal's full life, in my book of values and judgments.  Pets are not disposable throw away items.  They live, they love, they become attached to "their person" and to their usual home.  Please do NOT give a pet as a present, unless you are able and willing to take the pet into your own home.
    Thank you.

Miscellanea

We're having a cloudy day in Boulder; it's the remnants of the big rain storm that caused the mud slides in California for the past two or three days.  Even though we're supposed to reach the low 50s today, it'll be grey outside and above, which will make it seem cooler.  I was disappointed that the Orion rocket launch was postponed this morning - first there was a boat in the restricted area, then high winds, then a valve problem.  Now the folks at Cape Canaveral are hoping for a launch early tomorrow morning, if they can solve the valve situation.
   Rosie injured in lower back over the weekend, chasing something in her back yard after dark.  She's had problems with her hind legs since then, and fell (backwards) down the stairs when her rear gave way Tuesday.  I took her for a medium, slow walk yesterday; I was hoping to take her around the stone loop, but she wanted to head up Sumac.  That made our walk just a tad too long for her.  She started stumbling two houses away from hers during our return, and her hind legs were shaking when we got inside the house.  I hope that Dr Katie was able to perform her magic yesterday afternoon with acupuncture and her laser treatment.  I hate seeing a dog want to do things but be physically unable to do so....
   After walking Rosie this morning, I will meet two new felines that I'll begin caring for in a couple of weeks.  One is an older indoor/outdoor cat, who wears a radio collar; the other is a recently adopted youngster who has taken over the house and is terrorizing the older cat.  The owners hope that I can help them get the younger kit to calm down a bit...  This will be an interesting trial.
  If I don't do so today, then on Saturday, I'll hit the used book stores and World Market to pick up my stocking stuffers for the family.  I've already told them that the rental of the vacation house on Chincoteague for Pony Penning week is my Christmas gift to the family as a whole.  Now I need to find a few inexpensive gifts for stockings, and a few more books for me to read...   And, who knows?  I might find another first edition in it's original dust jacket for $20 or less - that'd be worth all the poking around I do in the used book stores!

Do NOT Give An Animal as a Christmas Gift

This is the time of year that we enjoy giving gifts.  The hard part is in selecting the right gift to give.  Please do not give a living, breathing animal as a holiday gift (unless you are a parent, giving it to a child who lives with you, and with the full knowledge that you, the adult, will care for the pet).  A lot of people believe in all the old, and cute, adages:  "Happiness is a warm puppy" or "Cuddly kittens bring happiness" or "Bouncy bunnies are best."  This is not true for everyone.
  As a professional pet sitter, I frequently get stopped by folks who admire the dog(s) that I'm walking. The dog is described in glowing terms, and the person often ends up saying, "I wish he/she were mine."  The only problem with saying that is they mean it at that very second, and not in their real-time life.  Most people who are not true animal lovers see a pet as a thing - a status symbol.  I cherish each animal I care for because of it's individuality and personal quirks.  If one truly loves animals, that's what happens.  If you regard your pet as a "belonging," and not a part of your family, then you are not, truly, an animal lover.

  People frequently see puppies, kittens, and small dogs out walking.  People comment to their friends, "Oh - isn't that adorable? I'd like one just like that."  Then the friends get that person a kitten or puppy or small older dog for a Christmas, Hanukkah, or birthday gift.  There is no polite way to refuse such a gift of love - but a lot of people don't have a pet because it just doesn't fit into their life style.  They are always busy, never home, have a wildly fluctuating work or school schedule, or they don't have the money to spare for the upkeep of that new pet.
   Pets take (a) money, (b) love and attention, and (c) time - lots of time.  With any animal, there are veterinarian bills - annual vaccinations and health check ups.  Dogs need to know who is boss in the family, and that takes time, love and patience.  Cats can be trained to do things, but that takes patience and love.  Bunnies and birds can be trained also, but again, it takes time and patience.  Then there is food and water, a litter box, a cage, a kennel, a collar and leash...  Some pets are born with, or develop, allergies - to an environment, to food, to detergent... the list can be endless.  All of this costs money to treat.
   If you are intent on giving your friend a pet, tell them.  Take them to the animal shelter with you.  Let them pick out the animal they want.  But YOU pay for the adoption.  You buy at least a week's worth of food, litter, toys, etc.  You make certain that YOU can take the pet into your home, in case the adoption goes bad...
   No living creature is a "throw away" animal.  Make sure they have a wonderful life; they are your responsibility - especially if you give an animal as a gift!

Bald Eagle Slaughter

I finally opened my Christmas package from my friend in Florida - I received it a week before Christmas, but my friends' package was late in arriving at her home. This morning, I was like a small child - I was giggling as I ripped open my wrapped gifts. There were several packages, and the first I opened was labeled for Nedi and Lovey - 12 new toys, that they have already played with and marked as their own. Then a package of note cards, a magazine about the making of The Hobbit, and then, a beautiful nightshirt with matching socks. Carolyn, you always seem to know exactly what I need. My thanks for being my friend for such a long time. I am truly blessed to be friends with you and Greg! Thank you for the wonderful gifts; they will be treasured.
  It's gorgeous outside - sunny sky, no clouds, and temperatures in the upper 40s. I have my patio door wide open, and I'm sitting here in a T-shirt and jeans, and am very comfortable. The kits have been running in and out for most of the morning - and I've had breakfast, my medications, and a nice,long phone conversation with Carolyn. I am content. Lovey is lying on the cat tree, and looking out the window. Nedi is lying across the patio threshold, watching leaves move in the slight breeze. I head over to Tugger and Sasquatch's this afternoon, to begin 10 days of feeding, medicating, playing, reading and grooming. I also need to remind myself to take my camera, as I don't have photos of those two. They are nice, loving kitties.
  I was upset to read that someone has shot and killed four bald eagles in Snohomish County, Washington. Apparently the person who shot them was just out for the joy of killing - nothing was removed from any of the birds, and all four were thrown into a semi frozen lake, where they were found, floating. All four bald eagles had been killed by a small calibre rifle. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Native American Stillaguamish tribe are offering a combined reward of $13,750 for information regarding the killings. The criminal penalty for killing a bald eagle without a permit was increased from a maximum fine of $500 and six months imprisonment to a maximum fine of $5,000 and one year's imprisonment. Furthermore, in the second case of second conviction, the penalty was increased to $10,000 fine and two years imprisonment. The maximum amount of a misdemeanor offense was increased $100,000 under the Criminal Fines and Improvement Act of 1987. In addition, $250,000 will be fined for an individual for a demeanor and a felony conviction. Respectively, $200,000 and $500,000 will be fined in case of an organization for a misdemeanor and felony conviction. The civil penalty was added, stating anyone who takes, posses, transports, sells, barters, or purchases any dead or alive Bald or Golden Eagles will be fined $5,000 for each violation. In addition, he or she who violates or disturbs any egg or nest will be fined under the civil penalty act. The act allowed the taking, possession, or transporting of the Bald and Golden Eagles in areas where they were endangering wildlife and livestock.