Ten Cats by Graham Harrop for December 24, 2024

Thanks for the suggestions, but not being a cat, I think it’s best to stick with angels and sparkly things on the tree.

Very good of Annie to oblige their wishes despite her own ideas about tree decorating.

I like the fish bones.

Shrimp? Sardines? Anchovies? I hate to think what that will smell like!

Today is:

CHRISTMAS EVE

NATIONAL EGGNOG DAY

My family did Christmas yesterday instead of waiting until Wednesday. This was because of my niece, Amy. Amy is spread thin on Christmas with so many places to stop that she can’t fit us in. Her husband’s parents are divorced, so they go to his dad’s place and his mom’s place and her mom’s place and we are left out. We wish she would arrange an every other year thing where they spend Christmas with her family (as in us) one year and his family the next year, etc., but that doesn’t happen and we don’t want to pressure her. She has so much on her plate. She has a mentally challenged sister. She has a young daughter to care for and she has to look out for her dad, too. The family was shocked yesterday to see Amy’s dad (our brother, Jim). He has aged about 15 years since we saw him last Christmas. Totally falling apart. He’s weak and isn’t taking care of himself. He was just getting over a cold. He coughed up blood at the dinner table.

Then there’s my oldest brother, John. The one we don’t like too much. The one who pigs out on all the food and treats while sitting on his fat behind, not helping in the kitchen because it’s “women’s work”. He is aging fast too. One year older than Jim, John was moved to an assisted living care facility last summer because he wasn’t taking care of himself. He had black mold in his apartment and he didn’t have the gumption to jump on the landlord to clean it up. It’s all very deeply involved, but he seemed unable to do anything for himself. John is 74 years old. He looks older than that. Jim is 73 and looks at least 80. He does not have good hygiene, his teeth are rotting – he’s just a mess. We’re wondering if he will even be living by next Christmas. We thought John was in bad shape, but Jim is far worse. Amy and her brother, Jake, are trying to get him into the same care facility where John is. That would be good because they were very close growing up.

Happy Christmas Eve to all!

Ah, this strip made me think of Rose and her story about the Great Herring War. ☺️

I love those four Golden Girls… and I love Ten Cats ❤️

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukah to all.

Won’t they have fun undecorating that tree!

Merry Christmas to all Ten Cats and Annie.

Lots of cats will be in that tree.

My Mom is 96 and doing fine in her apartment. We’re going to lunch today! Pre-Christmas ritual. Tomorrow, over to my Sister’s for Christmas dinner.She’s great. Seen it all! Civil rights, gay marriage, rolled with it all. Loves her gay black building manager to pieces. Gives me advice on my novels about a lesbian wildlife agent solving mysteries in a rural community. Good advice! Adored my character of a woman lineman (works out on power poles in the most awful weather, keeping her community safe) who provided the critical clue in the 3rd mystery.Love my Mom.

Merry Christmas and Happy Channukah to all!

A purr-fect Christmas tree!!! <3

They know how to do it right!

Indeed, this is how the cats of Sloblinki traditionally decorate their trees. Nowadays, the ornaments are plastic, which keeps the odor down for out of town guests. Traditionally, a crab was used as a tree topper, But recently, this fell out of favor for the friendly and more accessible looking shrimp. The holiday has more in common with the literal meaning of the name “Boxing Day” as the greatest gift any cat can give or receive is an empty box.

there’s something fishy about that tree

Sure it is, Annie. Don’t forget to add some tuna as well.

That’s not a Christmas tree… it’s a snack bar.

Shirley Temple marathon on now on MOVIES channel (5.2 OTA tv). Have always loved her as a little girl and later as a diplomat representing our nation. Recording a few favorites.

I guess I’m the Grinch here. I would not have done it. No fish on my tree!

Certainly all those different fish things would eliminate the wonderful Christmas tree aroma!! Good for the cats, not so good for the humans!!

No ham, turkey, or chicken? Our cat makes campaign speeches when we have chicken.

Missy doesn’t eat people meat much, but tuna? Ohyeah! She’d love this tree!

Our late, great Bucky would never eat people food, even when we offered it to him.

FREE ELDO!

Those are some interesting tree decorations. Oh well, to each their own. On another note, saw a wren and three golden crowned kinglets while out walking today.