Happy Sales and Returns Day
Time again for my annual rant about a Christmas carol, but first the good news on the Gävlebocken – it made it through Christmas! Now back to the rant…
While December 26th is celebrated by a lot of people in the US in shopping malls returning gifts or taking advantage of inventory clearance sales, there are other celebrations.
It is the first day of the Kwanzaa celebration, which is explained at the link.
It is Boxing Day, a celebration of noblisse oblige when the upper classes bestow gifts on the lower and the contents of the poor boxes are distributed. Under the feudal system this was part of the “contract,” the mutual system of obligations that tied the system together.
As the feast of St. Stephen it honors the first Christian martyr, but Ireland’s Saint Stephen’s Day celebration is a bit different and is the reason for the wren on this post.
However, this post is really my complaint about “Good King Whatshisface.”
I have always found Good King Wenceslas really annoying.
This is a real guy, although he was the Duke of Bohemia, and not a king, he was a real member of the 10th century aristocracy, and he is the patron saint of the Czech Republic. He is revered as a kind man for the way he treated children and slaves. Apparently owning slaves is fine as long as you don’t kill too many.
His mother had his grandmother, her mother-in-law, strangled, and he forced his mother out at sword point. He sounds more like he was ready for Dr. Phil, than canonization.
So then we get to the song. The song says that on Saint Stephen’s Day, the day after Christmas, he sees one of his peasants out scrounging up fallen limbs to heat his humble hovel, and Wenceslas carries food and a few logs to the peasant’s abode to brighten up the holiday.
At the time commoners weren’t allowed to cut trees for firewood nor hunt, as those were the rights of the aristocracy. They were allowed to pick up dead limbs in the forest to heat their homes. They would have a fire in their shacks and a smoke hole in the roof, not a fireplace, so the logs weren’t going to be useful unless they were split.
On the day after Christmas there were sure to be a lot of leftovers that would go to the kennels, so the “Good King” Wenceslas was carting dog food to a peasant, who was expected to be overcome with gratitude at the beneficence of his Duke.
There is a happy ending: Wenceslas was murdered by his brother’s goons after five years of oppressing the peasants.
The Church felt kindly towards Wenceslas because his mother was rather repressive towards the Church, while he wasn’t, so he became a martyr.
Wenceslas reminds me of all of the people who make a donation so poor people can have a good Christmas dinner, without a thought about what they have to eat the rest of the year.
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“Wenceslas reminds me of all of the people who make a donation so poor people can have a good Christmas dinner, without a thought about what they have to eat the rest of the year.”
Amen to that!
Most people don’t give a thought about anyone but themselves, even at Xmas. If they do anything good at Xmas, it isn’t because it’s the right thing to do. It usually so that people will believe they must be a good person. I read an appropriate quote from someone (I don’t remember who):
“You don’t need religion to have morals. If you need religion to determine right from wrong, you lack empathy, not religion.”
Well, my Xmas day was as uneventful as I’d hoped, with one unexpected caveat. Seems I have inherited the little grey kitty, Maggie. It seems that the neighbors who are as I described above have gone away to Qld. for a couple weeks and left their 2 dogs and cat, and not bothered to have anyone care for any of them. I discovered this yesterday when I heard an unusually loud meowing at my door (Maggy usually have a quiet meow). I opened the door and Maggie ran in and started rubbing my legs then began sniffing around almost manically meowing loudly the whole time. I picked her up, and realised she must be hungry because she was thinner than I remembered. I only had some canned tuna (in springwater, I don’t like it in oil luckily) and some leftover roast chicken. I gave her half the small tin of tuna (I knew that feeding her a lot at once was bad), and she calmed down and stated purring and reached up to be picked up, and she started rubbing my face and purring loudly. She wouldn’t leave, so I let her stay and fed her again an hour later (I’d put down a bowl of water of course). I went and checked on the dog’s, who were happy to see me, but didn’t look too good. They had no water, so I filled their bowl and got the chicken (was only less than half left) and some mince beef and fed them that. Then I called the RSPCA. Two came out this morning and I explained what happened. They found that the owners were in Qld. (I had no idea where they were). They could see the cat wanted to stay with me and liked me and I said I could care for her, but not the dog’s. So they let me keep Maggie for now, and took the dog’s. I went shopping and got some proper food for Maggie, and she’s quite contented to stay here, she’s on a chair next to me on a comforter I put to keep her comfy and warn (It’s actually been cold today). I give her a scratch now and then and she purrs softly now, a good sign. Whenever I go do something, like make a coffee or even try to go to the toilet, she sticks to me like glue! Even when she needs to go out and do her own business, when I opened the door, she stopped at the opening and looked at me and meowed and wouldn’t move until I followed her. She’s obviously terrified and doesn’t want to be alone for a second. She’ll get over it in time when she trusts me not to abandon her etc. Cat’s are like that. 🙂 I just keep scratching her and talking quietly to her, telling her she’s a very good girl and so on. She likes it and seems content. 🙂
So I guess I now own a cat. I just have to convince the RSPCA.
Good thing I no longer own a gun, I would use it when those bastards got home! I told the 2 RSPCA people that the guy has 2 criminal records for child abandonment (his own kids), at least 1 for drug abuse (with at least 1 OD recently, sadly, he survived) and has permanently lost his drivers license on several DUI’s! So everyone was unsurprised that the animals had been abandoned. They said that it was obvious that the cat and I cared for each other, so they would put in a good word for me and it should be a formality.
So, that was an unexpected Xmas gift. Weird things happen at Xmas occasionally I’ve noticed! 😉 😀
LOL Maggie is curious and has her paws on my leg looking at what I’m doing! That’s a very good sign! 😀 I wish I had a working camera (my new phone won’t be here for awhile, they had a huge run on sales and ran out. I only have my spare old normal phone.) She’s a real cutie! Starts with a white, or very light grey face, which gradually darkens until black at the tip of her tail, with alternating light and darker grey bands from about her front shoulders to the tip of the tail. 🙂 Hope that makes sense. 😀 Oh, and blue eyes. 🙂
Well, I better pay my little guest some attention. You know how they get! 😉 😀
Best Christmas story ever, Kryten42!
Kryten, you don’t own a cat, a cat owns you, so now you have to start blogging to put up the Friday cat pictures, it’s a tradition and cannot be denied. 😉
When I have had to leave to take my Mother to safety for a hurricane, the last thing I do is throw a 20 pound bag of kibble under the house behind the steps and open it for any animal that needs a meal until I can get back, and I bring more cat food with me when I head back. The indoor cats come with me, even if they hate it. My Mother always took her dog. You don’t abandon your responsibilities. The local emergency shelters finally changed their rules in the last few years and allow people to bring their pets, because people refused to leave them behind.
If you don’t like pets, and those people obviously don’t, why did they have them? Did they think it would make people believe they were normal?
Well, Maggie knows a soft touch and has probably been looking for a new staff for a while. It is a nice Christmas touch, Kryten. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks ellroon. 🙂 Maybe there is something to this whole “Christmas Spirit” thing. I always thought it referred to bottled substances, given that that is what most human’s seem to think it means. 😉 😀
Ahhh… yes, Bryan. I have had a cat since I was born, so I do know whom owns whom. 😛 I was speaking in the legal sense. 😉 😀
Actually, I am only here today because of a cat when I was a baby. I was born several weeks premature, and spent my first 8 months in the Hospital when my Mom worked as a Theater Nurse (Operating Theater, not Movie :P). About a Month after I came home (Mom told me many years later), our cat who had decided to stay near my crib like a guardian for some reason known only to a cat, when running madly and meowing loudly to Mom. She, being a rare intelligent human, realised something was wrong and came racing in and saw that I was totally wrapped up in the blankets and struggling to breathe. Mom told me that the cat, whose name was Millie, was a female typical black with white paws and bib, and had for some reason decided to adopt me. 🙂 She never went far. I sadly don’t remember her, I wish I did. She passed away when I was 3. Mom thought, and I agree, that it was because of Millie that I have such a strong emotional attachment to cat’s. I would always very aggressively defend a cat, even more so than a dog or other animal, and I do love all animals. It’s just something I feel very strongly, and have all my life. Mom used to call me the kitten magnet, because as a boy I would always find a stray kitten, usually in abandoned buildings. I just seemed to know they were there. 🙂 Most of the cat’s we had were a stray I’d found. Not one ever ran off. 🙂
If I ever had to choose between saving a cat or a human, then the human better kiss their ass goodbye. Unless it was a child. I would REALLY hate to make that choice! But I would always save a child.
Hah… Maggie must have felt that I was upset then for a minute. She came over and hopped on my lap just as I finished typing. She purred and rubbed my face. Vary hard to stay annoyed when they do that! 😀 I love kitties! 😀 They have more empathy than most human’s.
I took her to the vet earlier, and explained the situation. The vet said she was in reasonable condition, but showed signs of neglect. Took a blood sample. The vet was very kind and only charged me $40 for the visit. Half price. 🙂 Maggie seems to like her, didn’t complain a bit and even purred when she scratched her where I said was her fave spot behind her ears. 🙂 The Vet said that Maggie is an adorable cat and she was happy that she found me. she gave me some drops to add to her food for a few weeks and told me what to feed Maggie. 🙂
I’m feeling kinda proud of myself. 😀
Well, Bryan, given that I do have a tendency to laugh hysterically in the face of traditions…. 😉 OK. I guess that is one I can accept. 😀
A friend from Scotland says it’s called Boxing Day because that’s what the old ladies do while fighting over the after-Christmas specials at the shops. Apparently shopping for bargains is a blood sport in Scotland ;).
– Badtux the Easily Amused Penguin
Maggie is one lucky kitty, Kryten! I once lived with a cat named Meggie; she was loving, hardly any trouble and lived a long and well-fed life. May Maggie be like Meggie for you.
BadTux, I consider being “easily amused” a virtue. I am, and I have no intentions of changing.
Hurray for the Gävlebocken!
Sounds like Maggie is taking control early, Kryten, but yes, it is actually a tested fact that a purring cat in your lap lowers your blood pressure and reduces anxiety. The effect is more pronounced the older you are.
Badtux, keeping the peace is never easy when you work the day after Thanksgiving or the day after Christmas. People go nuts! To this day I never venture out on either day to avoid the palatable stress of people looking for a bargain.
The Goat is still standing as I write this, Steve. The town made several adjustments to security, including moving the main taxi stand right across the street, that make it difficult to carry out a successful attack.
Yeah Steve, she is. 😀 I am also. 🙂 I hope Maggie has a long life also. I plan to make it as comfortable and enjoyable as I can. 🙂 She’s decided that the food I provide is acceptable, so far. 😉 😀 I’ve always given my cat’s a good variety, and they usually decided what their favorites are. I once had a cat whose favorite food was smoked oysters! LOL
Glad you and Stella had a good Christmas Steve, all the best for 2015! 😀
Well, Maggie seems to be settling in nicely. She sneaked (sorry, snuck in American) under the covers on my bed last night and slept next to me. When I awoke, I gave her a little scratch and woke her. She leaped out and had a good stretch and a but of a wash, then went to the door. I let her out (on her own, though she did look back to ensure I didn’t shut the door). I left it ajar so she could get back in and went and got our breakfast ready. I guess we are starting a routine, which is good. She’s also getting playful again. 😀 She attacked my ankles as I walked past the bed earlier (but didn’t have claws out thankfully) and of course I was obliged to chase her! LOL Though, this is a small unit so not many places to run. Oh well. 🙂
We’ve started the battle of wills, and I am as stubborn as any cat! I’ve already had the head in the air and flick of the tail once today. 🙂 I just cross my arms and stare until she turns away (which is generally when you get the haughty tail flick of annoyance). She’ll learn! 😛 LOL I’ll let her get a few wins in now and then. 😉 I don’t want to crush her completely! 😉 LOL
I’ve had to check the Gävlebocken web cam a few times out of curiosity. 😀 Seems to be surviving OK. 😀
I wish you luck, Kryten, but cats have a way of extracting revenge if they feel abused 😉
I feed what I consider to be a lesser kibble, but it is the one they will eat. The wet food is to increase their protein intake, the primary short coming with the kibble they like. You can do all the research you want, but if they won’t eat it you have wasted your time and money. I begin to wonder about the ‘premium’ kibble – even the birds wouldn’t eat it.
LOL No worries. 🙂 We are good. 😀 She still loves cuddles (likes being cradled in my arms and nuzzling etc. Thankfully, she is lightweight! 😀 But when she decided it’s a good place to settle and does the little clawed softening routine, I have winced a few times, though she is generally surprisingly gentle. 😉 But that’s the price. 😀 They are like kids in many ways. If you let them get away with too much, they have no respect for you. She’s not so keen on foods with meat, but loves anything with fish. 🙂
She’s spent the past half hour having a really good wash and preen on the chair next to me. 😀 Doesn’t look like stopping any time soon! She spent almost 10 min’s just cleaning between her toes and paws. LOL It’s another good sign. 🙂 I gave her a little scratch behind the ears, which she loves, and she purred, Then she gave me a look and of course had to wash where I’d scratched her again. 😀 I am so mean! 😉 😀
The ‘kneading’ behavior is a very good sign, even better than purring, of a cat comfortable with their environment.
They really get carried away licking their fur into alignment.
I have found favor with oily fish like canned mackerel and pink salmon as a treat.
… and does the little clawed softening routine, I have winced a few times…
that’s what lap robes / throw blankets are for. they’re too small to keep you warm, but you fold or rumple them up a little in your lap and a cat appears out of nowhere to fill up the space and that keeps you warm. 🙂 and they can dig into the blanket with their claws, instead of into your skin. 😉
hi kryten! merry happy joyous whatever to you and your and your new friend!
Important point, which leads to don’t sleep under just a sheet when its warm for the same reason 😉
“don’t sleep under just a sheet when its warm for the same reason”
you bet your sweet bippy!
I did that exactly once when I was avoiding starting the air conditioner. Two hours later the AC was on, I was dabbed with orange, and there was a fleece throw over me.
Maggie is definitely nocturnal! Sleeps all day, and wants to play at night! Good thing I am also! 😉 LOL
You guy’s are such wimps! LOL I already have a half dozen or so scratches of honer on my right hand, where I let her catch me (or she get’s really upset and sulks if I win too often). LOL
She’s pretty good sleeping with me actually (when I nap during the day that is). She likes to stretch along my thigh with her tummy against my thigh, head towards my foot, and drape a foreleg over my leg possessively. LOL Problem is… I can’t move! *sigh* Things I do…
“Problem is… I can’t move!”
yep!
“where I let her catch me ”
I did that once. once. mine don’t scratch when they’re playing, they stab and then yank. must be the feral in them – gotta kill the prey, or at least severely disable it, on the first try.
“I did that exactly once when I was avoiding starting the air conditioner.”
ha! that’s what I did too. I went out and bought a second window ac, this one quite a bit smaller, and aimed it directly at where I sleep, just for that reason. I don’t turn on the other ac until the rest of the cats in the house are on the verge of melting.
Kryten, it wasn’t the scratches; it was where the scratches were located that motivated me. You need to protect your ‘lap’ 😉
Property is good about no claws, but Excise definitely isn’t. I still get clawed when playing and often deserve it.
Good plan, Hipparchia.
Even with the quilt over me, when The Mighty Fang comes to visit me in bed my hand automatically goes down to protect that certain part, Bryan :).
Both of my boys are very good about not using their claws when playing with me (they learned the hard way that biting or clawing me means game over, I ignore them for the next ten minutes or so), but the kneading reflex is just that, it’s something hard-wired into the cat, and if the cat is hard-wired to knead you’re not going to change it. At least TMF isn’t a drooler…
No idea who did this. I found it by accident. Appropriate though. LOL
Well, we are making progress. She remembers to keep the claws retracted, most of the time. Unless she get’s over excited. She’s still young, she’ll learn. 😀
She likes to be picked up and cuddled more than any other cat I can remember having. I had 2 Siamese that loved to sleep either side of me, right under the arm pits, usually when I was on my big corduroy bean bag reading a book. 😀 It was so annoying! 😉 But that’s cat’s for you.
Yeah, yeah, yeah … CC always starts off without claws to suck you in so she can go nuts and shred your hand. I wonder if she has some vampire bat in her genetic make up 😉
Well, better knead than kneed 😈
You are definitely ready for a Maggie the Moggie blog as soon as your new phone arrives 😆
Stay safe, m8, Oz is getting more dangerous during the summer bushfire season.
Kryten, that was definitely the best Christmas story. Why is it we all get big grins when we hear another person is adopted by a furry friend. But we all do. 🙂
Congratulations to Maggie the Cat’s new best friend, and maybe you’ll get your phone soon. You’ll have Maggie the Cat pictures to show off on a regular basis then.