From the couch of Brimley, Feline Estate Manager
December 2013
Greeting faithful followers…
It looks like I am once again charged with writing the
annual Christmas missive. The Porters have too much holiday manor business to
attend to, and they thought I was more likely to provide an objective view
point. I can tell you right now that I am a bit askance at what has been going
on for the last few months at the manor. Nick and Nora Skelton (fresh from
Skelton cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas) came for the annual Halloween
gathering, and they decided they liked it at the manor so much that they took
over the prime corner of the family living quarters and have set up a full
holiday occupation. After Halloween, they donned Pilgrim costumes and stayed
for Thanksgiving and though they SAID they were leaving for Florida for
Christmas, they got into the eggnog and decided to don black santa hats and
continue their occupation! They are now threatening to stay for a full calendar
year and then publish a picture calendar! None of the feline population are
pleased. Normally we spend peaceful quiet evenings, purring and snoozing. Now
we have to listen to their silly banter and the clicking and clacking of bones
all night.
Forgive my rant, I should get on to the business at hand…
the biggest manor news is the arrival of a granddaughter, Teagan Reed Porter.
She is a lovely creature, 8 months old and more adept at chewing on rubber
duckies than any creature I have ever seen. I can hardly wait for all the xmas
wrapping paper to come her way. Luckily she has been well-documented by her
photographer mother, Shannin. Teagan certainly seems to be the apple of her
father’s eye and calms immediately in his arms.
The Juneaus are their usual busy selves… they will be
spending the night in a few weeks, and I am eager to see if young Harper will
be able to count all the felines now. I also predict that Hayden will get along
splendidly with the Skeltons. And I am fairly certain that as long as the
pantry is stocked, that Riley will be up to his usual grazing. I don’t
understand how he can eat so much and not have a bulging tummy
like mine. I must find out his secret on this visit.
The Phinizys will be spending a week with us…. I have much
to catch Mistress Carly up on. She, of course, needs to spend as much time with
me as possible. I need extra grooming and am quite in need of a good art
history lecture. I have taken over as feline manager of the manor and probably
should consult with Jay, who is now the manager of a campus technology store. I
am not sure what that is but I know he can provide me with some good counsel.
Father Daniel continues to tend the birds, let all the
felines in and out the window/door, help sit with recuperating friends, and of
course provide nightly meals to Lady Ginty. She still bustles about…off to
work…back home… decorating, cleaning, and entertaining. She makes me quite
dizzy, but it is inspiring. I might actually jump down off this couch and go
take a nap in the chair across the room. That is my version of “bustling.” So
let me conclude by wishing you the merriest of seasons and a happy new
year!!!
Fondly, Brimley,
et.al.
