My Cat's Catmas

Twas the night before Catmas, the cats were at home
Outside it was snowing, did not want to roam
The humans were sleeping, the house it was still
but outside a noise came from over the hill
"Come Tabby" called Nera "and Fluffy as well
There is someone outside and he is ringing the bell"
The cats were astonished outside in the snow
there was a large sleigh, it did not want to go
It was pulled by six cats of a very large size
The cat leading the group had very large eyes
He was dressed in a red coat and had a red cap
He knocked at the door with a very loud rap
“I heard that three cats do live in this house
So now let me in, I might bring you a mouse”

Nera opened the door, she was really quite pleased
“so come in Santacat before you are freezed"
“Oh Nera and Fluffy just look who is here”
said Tabby “its Santacat bringing some cheer”.
“Hello my three cats, I would have been sooner,
but had many cat visits to make with the tuna
So tell me my cats, have you been good through the year
It is only the good cats that don’t have to fear.
Nera I heard you are vain and think you’re the best
please be a lot kinder next year to the rest”
“Oh Santa I will, please be sure, I’ll be kind
although Tabby and Fluffy say they do not mind"
“Tabby you sleep in the room with the bath
The humans don’t like that you are always in their path.”
“Yes Santa I am sorry but in that room it’s so warm
I know humans don’t like that, they make such a storm”

“And Fluffy you want to go out on your own
That is not so good, you cannot see when alone”
“Oh Santa I know that and will follow the rest
and now come in Santa and please be our guest”
The cats were so happy that Santacat came
They even got catnip and presents with their name
They were each given a parcel their face bore a grin
In the parcel was tuna packed in a tin
“So cats you are fine and your fur is like silk
My sleighcats are thirsty, do you have any milk?”
“Of course we do Santa please take what you need
and thank you for coming; we will have a great feed"
Santacat left them and went on his way
Nera, Tabby and Fluffy just waved to the sleigh
After their feast they all went to sleep
That cats and their catmas is a secret to keep

MULTIPLY Creative Challenge #31: Mamalade Sunset (sorry no sunrise available)

Original Size

Marmelade sunrises are rarely seen
I like to take photos, I’m really keen
I was at work and was called by my friend
It’s time for a photo, start a new trend
I came to the window and what did I see
A sunset in red which was ready for me
A sunrise ‘twas not, it was just too late
But better than nothing I had to translate
So here is the picture, the best I could do
I could take such pictures the whole day through

Creative Challenge #31: Marmalade Sunset (no sunrise available)

MULTIPLY Writer's Forum Find your Muse #12: Leaving on a Jet Plane

At last Jack was seated comfortably on the plane and could relax. It was always the same routine when he had to go abroad on business. All the family had to accompany him to the airport. His wife, Mable, the five year old twins Jeremy and Jonas and his ten year old daughter Alice who was now growing up and one day would probably be breaking the hearts of a few boyfriends. Everything was a last minute thing. The twins had an argument about who sat next to the window in the car and Alice wanted to sit at the front. Eventually they were all sorted and Mable got into the driver’s seat with Jack at her side.
“You know Mable” Jack said “you really don’t have to drive me to the airport with the whole family each time I go away. I can take a taxi.”
“No Jack, you will be on your own for the next couple of weeks and it is the least I can do to accompany you.”
Jack could not help thinking to himself “if only you knew how my loneliness looks”, but soon put himself into another thought process. He was travelling again to Hannover on business. Jack’s mother was actually German so he grew up speaking English and German with no problem and felt quite at home in Germany.

The arrival at the airport was on time and Jack entered the aircraft. There was a sign saying “tighten your seat belts” so he knew they would soon be departing. Suddenly a flurry of energy approached.
“This is my seat number” said a young lady “would you please excuse me” and she pushed past Jack and seated herself at the window. Jack preferred the seat at the end as he had more room for his long legs. He eyed his new seat neighbour and found she was actually attractive when you ignored the red patches on her face probably caused from the rush to catch the plane at the last minute.
“Are you also visiting the trade fair” she asked Jack “the plane seems to be packed with business men with the same target.”
“Yes I am, although the company I work for has a branch in Hannover so I will be staying for some time” he answered “and you?”.
“I am working for my company on our stand at the fair as hostess. I am a quite excited as it is the first time I have been chosen for the job” was the answer.
“Do you often travel to Hannover” she asked.
“At least once a month.”
“Then you must know the town very well. I am staying at the Hotel Zentral, do you know if it is a good hotel to stay.”
Jack decided the time would fly on this journey with such a talkative seat neighbour.
“I don’t know many hotels in Hannover as our company had their own guest house.”
“Oh, I see, then you must feel quite at home in Hannover always being able to stay at the same place each time you visit.”
“I like the town very much and I do feel comfortable there” he replied thinking again “if only people knew”.

The conversation seemed to end so Jack decided to close his eyes and catch up on some sleep. When he arrived in Hannover he would probably be too busy to relax. The young lady had taken a book out of her bag and was reading. Jack awoke to the sound of a trolley being wheeled along the corridor in between the seats and saw that food and drink was being brought to the passengers.
“At last” said the young lady “I am starving”.
“Me too” answered Jack and pulled himself up in his seat to get ready for the food. At the same time he threw a quick glance at his flight neighbour and found, yes, she was really attractive.
“I wonder” he thought “if she might be interested in seeing the sights of Hannover “Shall I ask her or – no such thoughts aside I am a married man with children, but on the other hand……”
“I was wondering” she said “you must know Hannover quite well, perhaps you could give me some tips where I could go for a good meal in the evening.”
“If you like I could show you a few places where you could eat well, I could meet you in the reception of your hotel this evening and we could go out for a meal.”
She gave Jack a wonderful smile and told him to meet her at eight in the evening.

Their conversation continued and time passed quickly and the plane went into its landing routine.
“I am sorry I cannot accompany you to your hotel” Jack said “but I am being met at the airport by a chauffeur who will be taking me to the guest house, but we will see each other this evening.”
“That is no problem” the young lady answered “I will get myself a taxi.”

They disembarked from the aircraft and picked up their luggage. Jack looked around when he left the passport control to see that no-one was following him and when he entered the airport lounge his chauffeur was waiting. Actually it was a chauffeuse accompanied by three children.
“Hello Hans, glad your business trip to London is over” said the “chauffeuse”. The children have been missing you.”
Jack-Hans gave the lady a kiss and put his arms around the children. “Papa” they said we are glad to have you back at home again.”
“Yes Hans, you wife has been missing you as well.” said his German wife, Heidi. I hope life wasn’t too boring in London for you. It must be dreadful living out of your suitcase in those hotels and eating food in hotels and restaurants. Now you are back home with your family and can have some good home cooking again.”
“Sorry to disappoint you Heidi but this evening I have to attend a dinner with some business friends.” After all he had an appointment at the Hotel Central, but Heidi would believe what he told her.

In the meanwhile Jack or Hans was quite happy having his two families. He never could decide whether he preferred life in England or Germany.

MULTIPLY - Pictures to Words - Segments 6: The Neighbours

„She’s doing it again Fred, come and have a look“ and Frieda Black was quite excited.
“Who’s doing what” answered Fred and went over to the window where his wife was looking out through the binoculars.
“The neighbour in the ground level apartment, she’s digging up the garden again and we know what that means.”
“Show me Frieda” and now Fred was getting interested “planting another bush or tree to spoil the view from our window. If only Mrs. Goodall would hold herself to the rules and regulations where we live, it would make life a lot more enjoyable for us all” and Frieda nodded in approval – the word “all” applying to only the Blacks of course.

Fred and Frieda Black found that if you buy your own apartment you should still ask the neighbours for their permission before doing something different. After all the front gardens should all look alike, each one with a nicely kept lawn and not with bushes and trees in between like the Goodalls always seem to be planting. Why they even have two hazelnut trees growing in the garden, apart from the walnut tree in the big pot. It just does not fit into the organised pattern of the estate. Basically most of the neighbours found Mrs. Goodall’s garden admittedly something different, but not a disturbing feature and some neighbours even found her taste quite good. Only the Blacks were not satisfied.

Mrs. Pamela Goodall was happy with her garden. In Spring the bushes were flowering and throughout the Summer they attracted all sorts of wild insect life. The butterfly bushes were a colourful contrast for all to see; after all they were not called butterfly bushes for no reason. There were at least four different sorts of flying beauties searching for their nectar on the flowers. Pamela actually had no suspicion that she was being observed constantly when she was in the garden by her neighbours on the top floor. There were six apartments in the house and Pamela and her husband, Michael, never had a problem with any of the other neighbours. Even the Blacks never let any suspicion fall that they found Pamela’s garden improvements were not approved of, they preferred to keep it a secret for the time being.

Mr. Black was a retired insurance man and was used to having things in organised patterns in his life. He had trained his wife to think the same, and if Fred Black did not notice that things were not going to his plan, his wife quickly brought him up to date. It was Mrs. Black that was talking to one of the neighbours and heard that this particular neighbour now had a special machine attched her water supply for the reduction of the lime in the water. Mrs. Black found she should have known this before the neighbour organised it. Mr. Black made further investigations and found that already three neighbours had this machine and he was not informed. That was a problem and was one of the items on the list for the next meeting of the owners of the apartments. After all before the neighbours organised something Mr. Black should be asked. Fred Black found that this lime removal machine would only work properly if attached to the washing machines in the cellar as well. Actually this did not really matter, but gave him a reason to have it discussed with the other neighbours. Perhaps he could even ensure that these machines would be forbidden. He knew nothing about them, his wife found it out by chance, and that could not be. Only on the approval of the Blacks should anything be fitted into the homes.

He had also made sure that Mrs. Goodall’s garden would be discussed. Mr. and Mrs. Black also had disciples in the estate, Mr. and Mrs. Grey. They found that what Mr. Black said was always good, and so Mr. and Mrs. Grey always nodded in approval at their suggestions just to keep on their good side.

It was now two weeks before the annual meeting and the list of things to be discussed was sent to all the owners of the apartments. When Mr. Goodall saw that his wife’s garden was on the list he was furious. First of all he found his wife had perhaps gone a little bit too far with her agricultural creations, but on the other hand when he read about the objection to the lime removal machines made by the Blacks, he transferred his anger to the Black family. It was then quite clear to him that they were being observed most of the time.

“What do you propose to do with your garden now” Michael Goodall asked his wife.
“Well, Michael I must say this whole thing has become a bit of a shock. We have been living here almost ten years and I started my gardening scheme eight years ago. When the good Mrs. Black had told me that it was not in line with the estate I would naturally not have done anything, although I must admit I have had so much pleasure from the garden. Now I suppose I just have to dig everything up to suit their taste.”

“Let’s not handle without a fight, dear” said Michael. “What annoys me is that the Blacks are now starting to tell us and others what to have in their own four walls and what not. I would say we wait for the meeting and see what happens.”

“You know Michael, the nicest time we spend living here is when the Blacks are away in their holiday house in Spain. Then everyone seems to be able to live in peace with everyone else.”

The evening meeting soon arrived and all the apartment owners met for their discussions. The chairman was a neutral person who looked after the finance concerning the communal arrangements, such as the gardening of the surroundings, the finance of the heating and water which was shared by all. It was to be a long meeting starting at seven in the evening and only at ten in the evening did the subject of the gardens come onto the agenda.

Mr. Black opened the discussion and stated that the gardens should all be alike but there were some people that just went against the rule.
“Let us say it clearly Mr. Black” Michael Goodall spoke up. “Do you mean my wife and me in particular” and then the argument started.

Eventually Mr. Black decided there should be a commission formed for approval of the gardens. The chairman called for the vote but Mr. and Mrs. Grey were the only people that agreed, all others were too tired and found it so trivial they turned it down. The debate concerning the acceptance of a suitable lime removal appliance according to the wishes of the Blacks (and naturally the Greys as well) was also declined. Mr. Black was particularly disappointed in this respect as one of the other neighbours had told Mr. Black he would also support Mr. Black in this respect, but had changed his mind at the last moment. The remarks uttered by Mr. Black to this neighbour are here not to be repeated. It suffices to say that Mr. Black found yet another neighbour who was not on his side.

Unfortunately Pamela Goodall could not attend the meeting to the end as she had to go to work the next day. Her husband was already in retirement and so he told his wife of the decisions made.

One evening late the Goodalls were standing outside in the garden. They had got used to looking at the garden late in the evening to make sure they were not being observed.
“Well what do you think, Michael? What shall I do with my garden now.”
“Pamela it seems that only the Blacks are really against it, so I would say just carry on. I noticed you have dug two rather large holes in the garden. That seemed to be the reason for Black’s disapproval. What do you actually want to plant in them?.
“Well you know Michael, I though an apple tree would be quite suitable, the problem being that you really need two apple trees for a good harvest”
and then the Goodalls heard someone shout down at them from the window above “before anything more is planted in that jungle we have something to say” and Mr. Black was shouting from the window. Pamela and Michael were glad it was late in the evening and that the other neighbours were not around to hear.
Suddenly Mr. and Mrs. Black appeared in the Goodall’s garden and an argument broke out.
“What did I hear. You are planning to plant two apple trees. Over my dead body said Fred. Black.”
“And over mine as well” said Frieda Black.
“Did you hear what they said” said Michael.
“Only too well” answered Pamela and so the argument went on.

This argument did clear the air. It seemed that the Blacks left for their house in Spain shortly afterwards and Pamela and Michael planted their apple trees. Actually they had a lot of success with the trees and a fantastic harvest every year.

The Black problem looked like it had been resolved and the Blacks were never to be seen again at the estate, everyone assuming they were in their holiday home in Spain.

Of course Pamela and Michael did have a couple of problems. Cleaning the blood stains off the shovels was one, but eventually they decided to thrown the shovels in the near by river and buy something new. Of course they were proud of their wonderful apple trees which seemed to grow stronger year by year. Pamela was often asked what she used for fertiliser to make them grow so well.

Pictures to Words - Segments Week 6: The Neighbours

MULTIPLY Poetry Posse Week 11: All I want for Christmas

All I want for Christmas is a place without the stress
Where my Christmas meal is cooked and the work I do is less
The children are now adults and do not ask for much
A present in an envelope gives just the wanted touch
The days of lego, trains and dolls are now a long time passed

The thrills of opening boxes with bows have gone now all too fast
“So son what do you want from me, something a little cuter?”
“No mum, I know what I would like – the latest personal computer
and please remember that I need to make my choice so fair
with excel, word and internet and rams, for this I care.”
“Don’t worry son I know your needs, I will see what I can do
but what is with my other son, I have not got a clue.”
“I have no wants as you can see, an envelope is fine
just fill it up with lots of notes, I cannot use a dime.”
It seems my children are all now settled and then I ask my man
Computers and money he has enough, of those he is a fan.
“So husband tell me what you would like, your wish will be fulfilled
A pullover, book, or record is a choice, just something to make you thrilled”
“Oh wife, I am happy as things just are, I have no greater need
The music comes from Ipod tunes and books I have to read
So let us enjoy the Christmas hols with lots of food and drink
and look to take it easy, away from the kitchen sink.
All we want for Christmas is our family and each other
let us not forget our cats, with love we will us smother.