Day Five

We were both up at the crack of dawn. 

We have learnt that unless we get ahead of the newly acquired duties things get out of hand before you know it.

While I did our morning perimeter patrol and sign check.

Festis went to the far pond to deliver the sad news to the ducks. 

Then we met on the corner to inspect the vegetable garden fencing. 

With thanksgiving dinner approaching we must ensure the availability of our green beans and carrots. 

We did not go up to Bank Street this morning as it looked like rain and getting your kilt dry is not a trivial thing. 

So we contented ourselves with a couple of Niamh’s little muffins. 

After her “Am I really awake?’ coffee Niamh was off to another all day long at her university. 

Good thing that it is no so far away. 

By the time Craig appeared Zita was on her third coffee. 

So he made her another and added one of his own. 

Then we handed responsibly for the household over to Craig and joined Uncle in a well deserved nap. 

We Blackthorn-Badgers being habitually nocturnal find these mornings quite stressful nowadays.

Fortunately for Festis and I the croissants at Little Victories manage to lull us into a sense of competency. Thank goodness.

We noticed that Zita had ordered the thanksgiving ham from our friendly meat market. 

If you do not order your ham in time you have to settle for their leftovers. 

Which occasionally leads to unpleasant surprises. And people might go hungry. 

One time our quartermaster forgot to get enough brandy and the lads had to go into action on water. 

I never heard the end of it. Neither did the Quartermaster.

So you must plan these events well in advance. 

Or face the consequences, dire though they may be.

Hence our visit to our vegetable garden this morning. 

Kathy and Zita were talking all day about the extended menu for the thanksgiving dinner. 

It seems they are counting on a state of near starvation for all the guests. 

With all that food certainly we might have some turnip leftovers. 

Then we can make “Stovies” for our sunrise snacks. 

Now that would be a tasty treat as our dear Miss Poppy would so often say. 

Last night Uncle Dugal noticed that Emmet taught classes in both Canada and Ireland on the same day. 

He said it took him six weeks to get to Singapore from London when he was a subaltern. 

He was a bit wistful when he mentioned it. 

When I joined the regiment airplanes had propellers. 

Everything changes no mater what we do. 

Well accept for our Cousin Morag. 

It would be a very brave event that tried to dissuade her from her intended path let me tell you. 

Which is why we left her in charge of the clan while we are “away”. 

After Zita was finished for the day she and Craig went for their exercise walk around the park. 

But it was cold enough for real gloves and real coats. 

And Craig turned on the furnace. About time if you asked me. 

Just after they returned Niamh arrived so she could go for more driving practice and to get Miss Tarryn.

Or Tarryn might miss her Friday night dinner on Craig Street. 

But Niamh had to get stockings for a wedding she is going to in a few days.

When they got home Niamh and Miss Tarryn tried on clothes appropriate for a wedding.

Craig and Zita went to the den, Festis, Uncle Dugal and I went off duty.

 Until everyone has gone to sleep and our new night begins.