Day Forty Eight

Furrgus 

Well although there was only a bit of snow last night, this morning was quite cold. 

With a rather bitter wind. 

Fortunately we had bundled up for our trip to the Sunset Grill, to order our favourite blueberry pancakes after the morning patrol.

So we were quite surprised to find the streets rather full of people and they were all heading to Bank Street.

But from some subtle eavesdropping we soon discovered that today was the annual Santa Claus parade. 

Which accounted for all the children swathed in snowsuits and scarves. 

Their parents were filling up with warming coffees from the various restaurants along the street.

Fortunately we had decided on the Sunset Grill today which was a bit past the route of the parade. 

But we did not envy anyone standing around in that wind. 

When we were back home Zita was already talking to the head of her board of directors.

And Niamh had run off to Starbucks to write her essay.

With the help of expensive coffees.

Days off seem to be a foreign concept to these two. 

Now Craig only had a very little sleep in before he made his coffee and met with his breakfast friends. 

When Craig was having his coffees Zita went off to get her flu vaccine and brought back some cherry turnovers. 

There were enough to go around.

Niamh was at The Three Trees today. After her Starbucks intermission. 

Now this is the beginning of their very busy season. 

So they are chockablock with gifts.

Speaking of which this afternoon Zita and Susan went downtown to find inspiration for Christmas. 

Craig stayed here to watch his hockey team again. Hope beats eternal they say. 

Now Emmet was in contact with Craig and the headhunting presentation went off swimmingly he said. 

And he he kept to the theory and left the practice to the audience’s imagination. 

But he mentioned that his travel agent will be contacting him this week about his Christmas trip home.

In anticipation of which Zita is hoarding After Eights. 

Do you know that there are households where Christmas does not include After Eights.

We thought this to be viscous rumours, but unfortunately it appears to be true. 

And some places they do not even have Crackers at the Christmas dinner. 

Civilization is not as widespread as one might have hoped. 

Fortunately Cousin Morag has Fortnum and Mason’s on speed dial. 

Furrgus was only speaking to her yesterday. 

Just checking in so we do not get cut from the Christmas list.

She said that the Castle’s ravens, Huginn and Muninn, have left for the warmer climes of Ireland, until spring. 

This migration have always seemed quite suspicious to me, as it is more of a road trip than a migration. 

But as it have been going on for decades beyond my memory I have never raised my doubts. 

Though the thought of the Kirk’s choir entertaining at the Castle for the entire twelve days may have something to do with it. 

And being feathered pagans they may well be offended by the padre’s over lengthy saying of grace at dinner.

Dugal claims the catered dinners are solely responsible for that gentleman’s diligent attendance. 

We take his complaint with a grain of salt as whenever Dugal was in the country he spent his Christmas at Boodles.

In order to avoid the trip to Dunstaffnage and discussing anything with his father the Laird. 

Thank goodness it is not like this here. 

Which is why Dugal emigrated we suspect. 

Miss Tara is already coordinating Christmas time, focusing on the Saint Stephan’s day extravaganza naturally. 

Zita returned with some appropriate presents for distant friends. 

Getting the Christmas list done bit by bit. None of that last minute Christmas Eve shopping in this house. 

But she did not stay for long as she went to get Niamh so she would not freeze walking home. 

When they got home they brought Tarryn with them so she would not starve. Which was nice. 

After the dining room was cleared we set up the Monopoly tournament. 

We are not using Romanian money this time.