The happiest of all holiday greetings to you one and all! I was beyond thrilled when Lady Ginty invited me to “pen” the Christmas letter again this year. I was so taken with my new-found writing skills that I actually started my own blog this year (http://brimleyspeaks.blogspot.com/), so I am now an officially published author. I have kept a keen writer’s eye on the activities and comings and goings of the past year at Porter Manor, so I will attempt to provide an overview of my observations:
This was the year for royal weddings…the son to the manor born, Robin, married one of my favorite visitors, Shannin. I was unable to attend the outdoor wedding due some digestive issues, but I heard it was a quite lovely spot overlooking a lake and that a good time was had by all. I know I certainly enjoyed the leftover appetizers. The wedding couple took a surprise honeymoon to Jacksonville, Florida and frolicked in the ocean. The couple have stayed with me and the other felines on several occasions this year while Lady Ginty and Father Daniel were away on urgent manor business, and, I must say, I do enjoy all the attention I get from Shannin. I suspect Robin gets a bit jealous, but he is a tolerant sort.
This year I have not been so befuddled by the arrival of visitors (last year I was quite overwhelmed and my mustache and eyebrows were constantly atwitter with the endless stream of new faces). So when the Juneaus arrived, I knew immediately to expect the lovely Brooke and her ever-loyal companion, Jason and , of course, the three young lads, Riley, Hayden, and Harper. Riley seemed a bit taller than his mother, and Hayden was affectionate with me as always. The young whippersnapper, Harper, had just perfected his walking skills and was determined that I should make brisk circles around the dining table with him in hot pursuit. We finally settled down for naps, and I listened to the chatter concerning life in Greensboro… the cherry picking trips, horseback rides and something about mountains of laundry and failure and replacement of major household appliances. I admit I did not understand the appliances part, but it certainly seemed to have the lovely Brooke in an agitated state.
For half of this year I was in the company of Mistress Carly who resided at the Manor while she taught Art History at her nearby alma mater, Furman University. (She took great pains to teach me how to both pronounce and spell F-U-R-M-A-N). I was quite morose after she returned to her betrothed, Jay, in Richmond. But I am told they found a house to purchase there and that they even have a guest cottage. I dream of the day I might visit. I have a few decorating talents that few know about, and I am excited to hear that Jay and Carly both are now tutored in the ways of sewing machines. This opens endless possibilities to my visions of Richmond décor.
Life here at the manor has been sublime. Lady Ginty makes every holiday a special occasion , festooning the house with festive décor, although I was somewhat unsettled by her Halloween mise en scène. The spanish moss, snakes, and voodoo dolls were more than a bit unnerving. On a day-to-day basis, my primary caregiver—Father Daniel—is an authentic hero. He bathes me, changes my litter, allows me to sit on the prized grey lap pillow in the recliner, and he grooms me like my own mother used to (except she used her tongue, and he uses a brush---well, most of the time he uses a brush). I also have come to enjoy his tastes in reading. We are making our way through the classics (I will confess that I was a bit depressed by that Crime and Punishment book, however).
All of us at Porter Manor wish each of you a joyous season, one that brings health, some wealth, and an abundance of happiness. I look forward to the coming new year, and I am resolved to do something about my ever expanding tummyline. Perhaps more laps around the dining table would be in order.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.
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