Tinsel

Tinsel? Hmmm... that will require a little thinking...

Or just right for a cosy evening with our birdies round the Christmas tree!

Why am I imagining Jason or Princess rocking around the Christmas tree, while they listen to carols, with tinsel in their hair.

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Originally posted by ChrisWHe giggled again, then got the strangest look on his face. A horking sound followed.

Great story Chris, only that makes me think of what use to happen to my cats every Christmas. (Same sound too.) Now I forgo the tinsel. Instead, this year, my puppy keeps knocking the lowest ornaments off the tree. I keep thinking I have raised them high enough, but then I find another being chased across the floor.

I used to have the same problem with my kids, CD! We have to have 'baby safe' ornaments on the bottom of the tree, where the kids could reach, with the more delicate ones further up. I was so glad when they got old enough that we didn't have to worry about that any longer!

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When I was a teen I got a little kitten shortly before Christmas. She loved to shimmy up the tree's trunk. You'd know she was at it because the whole tree would be shaking and shivering as she made her way up. As an adult, our first dog (this will be our first Christmas without him, sniff) mostly wanted to drink the tree's water and lift a leg to pee on it. The ornaments didn't particularly interest him. k2: Wonder if Jinpei was really hoping to give Iona a huge smoocheroo.

LOL, K2, I'm wondering if Jinpei really believed the mistletoe was galvanized, or if he figured out Joe was pulling his leg? maybe he put it up hoping to catch Ken and Jun taking advantage of it too? Chris, My biggest worry was the kids eating and choking on Christmas decorations when they were too small to know any better, I solved that by involving them in the decorating of the tree as soon as they could understand what it was all about. it stopped them being curious as they knew what each item was and they were less likely to "explore". PS glad to see the pair of you contributing once again.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun I used to have the same problem with my kids, CD! We have to have 'baby safe' ornaments on the bottom of the tree, where the kids could reach, with the more delicate ones further up. I was so glad when they got old enough that we didn't have to worry about that any longer!

That is what I do too, keep the unbreakable ornaments near the bottom, but I am still seeing teeth marks in them. I guess it gives me an excuse to go out in the after Christmas sales and purchase some new ones. (Not that I really need an excuse.) K2 - I had the same thought as KT ... wondering if Jinpei put up the mistletoe in hope that Ken and Jun might "accidentally" find themselves under it.

Well, it looks like I have a chance to share a trick my mom used when it came to having a tree around dogs and tenacious toddlers: a playpen. Now, it's not what you think. She didn't put any critters (two- or four-legged) in the playpen-- she put the tree in there. It also proved handy for keeping the presents safe between the time Santa delivered them to the time they were opened.

We only did the playpen thing once when my son was little, by the time his sister came around he'd leave it well enough alone. But I do remember making sure that the unbreakable ornaments were on the bottom of the tree for the cats. Although now we don't have any, I think of their little feline spirits every morning when I come down and find a few ornaments on the rug.

Ahhh, but if I did that ... then I wouldn't have the pleasure of spending half an hour rounding up the ornaments every afternoon when I get home from work. Also I am unlikely to go out and purchase a playpen, just to put a tree in it. But I like the idea, I might suggest it to a few of my friends who are having problems with their children and trees/presents - which seem to have become a little "dogeared" from little kiddie fingers touching them.

If you think the kids might be investigating presents, only place a few under the tree at first. Make sure they're all something boring, like socks and underwear. Wait and see if the kids suddenly appear disappointed one day. Yep, I think Jinpei wanted to plant one on Iona!

The one year I gave in and found my presents ahead of time as a kid, I was so disappointed on Christmas to have no surprises. Never did that again!

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Nambu's released, is he? Then I gather someone knows he's innocent!

Very nice addition KT. And I see Nambu is now released.

"Sire, the men are demanding bonuses." "Bonuses?" Katse shrieked in shock. "They don't even get paid! How can they have the gall to demand a bonus?" "Well, Sire, it's Christmas, and they want to buy presents for their families." "Families. Hmph!" Katse snorted. "Galactor is their family. If they're buying presents for anyone, it should be me!" "I'm not sure that's what they had in mind, Sire." "Well tough tinsel!" Katse snapped. "After the year I've had, I could use a few presents! Tell the men that there will be no bonuses, but that they are expected to buy me a present if they want to keep their heads for the new year." "Uh... yes, Sire." The man scurried away, a horrified expression on his face. The moment he had departed, Katse allowed a smirk to rise to his face. Bonuses! Of all of the outrageous ideas! After this, he'd bet than they never approached him with something so ridiculous again. And that in itself would be a present indeed.

Um, how can Katse expect them to buy him presents if they don't get paid? That is typical Katse logic though. Great piece TJ.

Good stuff TJ. Who says presents have to be bought. I am sure if the goons have even a partial brain they could figure something out.

Yeah, they could bake a red velvet cake for him!

KT: So is a baby Swan + Eagle a Swegel or a Ewan? I think I'm partial to Swegel. (Don't mind me, my brain has apparently gone extra wonky over the holidays.) TJ: Katse better be careful when he opens those presents.

Chris: It might be a seagull.

LOL cloud

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Katharine: I'm sure that'd be a huge relief, and exactly the gift Jay wanted.

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hee hee hee, EW, GalactorRats strike back!

First gerbils, then rats and now snakes. I have to wonder is what is next? But maybe that is not a good thing to ponder.

I dread to think what EW will conjure up next.

Originally posted by KT1972 I dread to think what EW will conjure up next.

Insert evil laugh here. Thank you.

Ohhh, wasn't it she who brought us the spiders as well? Maybe we can start recommending species for her to use next. Some thing like the Bradbury's Jar prompt.

Originally posted by clouddancer Ohhh, wasn't it she who brought us the spiders as well? Maybe we can start recommending species for her to use next. Some thing like the Bradbury's Jar prompt.

does she really need the encouragement though?????

perhaps not .... maybe if her muse ever decides to up and leave, then we can help out.

Originally posted by clouddancer perhaps not .... maybe if her muse ever decides to up and leave, then we can help out.

And I was beginning to think you two were considering making my muse "disappear" before the menagerie got to be too big!

Well, that IS another thought. Thank you. Now if I could figure out a way to convince another persons muse to disappear - and maybe come and visit me for a while so I could finish one or two of my incomplete stories ....

Good thing I could catch up with this week's Bradbury's Jar! So many lovely, and interesting contributions, not leaving out the good advice about Christmas decorations hazards! CW ... loved your piece! Touching and humorous at the same time! Wouldn't expect anything else from little Jinpei! K2 ... adding my own thinking that the mistletoe could have been a good excuse for a Ken/Jun moment, I really also think that Jinpei wanted it there for his own moment, which he unfortunately didn't receive! Maybe, next year! ... it seems that we still have to hear more about him and Iona! KT ... it's good to hear that Nambu had been released for Christmas! Guess that was the teammembers' wish! A good Christmas break, then more explanations! TJ ... LOL, Katse surely knows how to suppress such expectations ... a magnificent description of his character! I agree with the others that he does have to be careful when he opens his presents, though! I surely hope the goons would not let this opportunity escape, even though the thought of them striking back is most remote! Katharine ... this so well-written piece of yours reminds us about the importance, and the real meaning behind gifts ... it's not the make or the confection that matters, but the simplicity of true feelings and peace of mind other than material, superficial things! Oh, EW ... GalactorRats, again! You caught me, here ... I didn't expect their presence until I read the final note! Poor Jinpei ... hope he'll recover, soon! Definitely a very good premise ... I enjoyed reading the story very much!

Katharine, I'm glad the Devilstar made it out okay! EW, obviously Jinpei and I agree about those horrible fake trees! But I wouldn't wish the snake bite on anyone. Wait a minute... don't snakes eat rats? It seems like the snakes should be staging their own counter-strike on the Galactorrats...

EW: Why do I see those rats wearing little snakeskin belts and shoes?

Originally posted by ChrisW EW: Why do I see those rats wearing little snakeskin belts and shoes?

Ooooh! I hadn't thought of that!

See .... I knew we would be able to tempt your muse one way or another !!!! Now, to wait until next week to see if you can use it with the prompt.

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by ChrisW EW: Why do I see those rats wearing little snakeskin belts and shoes?

Ooooh! I hadn't thought of that!

And the obligatory handbags. Must have handbags.

Chris--poor Jun...having to be responsible for Jinpei totally at that young age...never thought of it that way. KT-Very sweet little Christmas scene...but nice way to bring in what has gone before as well. Nambu's release must have the best present for them that year. TJ-Beautiful..how very Katse like to demand presents from his underlings. Love it! MK-Nice bit. Wonderfully done. EW-Deliciously evil. Love how this is reading just like an ep of the anime. And I love the rats...maybe the Galactor Rats need to meet the Rats from NIMH in some sort of unholy crossover.

Originally posted by k2p2 And I love the rats...maybe the Galactor Rats need to meet the Rats from NIMH in some sort of unholy crossover.

Oooh! I hadn't thought of that, either!