Animal Tracks

One of my favourite things about winter is discovering animal tracks in the snow. Every find is an exciting glimpse into recent history. Just knowing that another animal walked, hopped, or scampered past is an exciting reminder that I share my community with many other animals.

To date I've seen mouse, dog, and bunny tracks, but am hopeful I will find other species in the future. When I am lucky enough to find new tracks I smell them deeply and follow them until they end. This makes me feel like a detective hot on the trail of someone that's trying to elude me. One day I hope to find, smell, and explore the tracks of a masked shrew, red fox, or white-tailed deer. That would be so exciting!

It strikes me that I live very differently from these full time woods creatures. It's hard to imagine a mouse getting cuddles in the "grandpa chair" or a red fox watching movies with his or her parents. Despite our differences I suspect we all want the same "creature comforts" like food, water, a warm, safe place to sleep, and family members to love and be loved by.

Finding animal tracks in the snow reminds me that each of us leaves a unique mark on the world, waiting to be found, examined, and marvelled over.

With love & cuddles,

Lottie

Lesson # 33 Go forth and leave your mark!

The Christmas Tree

Jenny explained that since Christmas was fast approaching it was time to put up the tree. She reminded me that everything had to be ready in time for Santa's visit on Christmas Eve. The degree to which my parents fussed over the tree led me to believe he was very particular. Jenny asked me if I liked it, but how could I like something that looked and smelled so artificial?

First, Dad brought the tree upstairs, removed it from a long box and carefully put the pieces together. Once it stood upright he and Jenny carefully opened the branches. Little pieces fell onto the floor but they didn't seem to mind. Next came a string of lights then the garland. It was funny to see my parents paying so much attention to a pretend tree when they barely noticed real trees! I on the other hand love running under and around trees in my never ending search for bunnies. So what made this fake tree so special? Why is it only set up once a year?

Just when I thought the tree was dressed up enough they decided to embarrass it further by adding ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Some ornaments looked like tiny replicas of children's toys while others were homemade or hand painted. Many of the glass balls and other equally delicate ones were placed near the top. Did my parents think I would knock them down and break them?

After the ornaments came one final touch. Dad placed a small girl with wings on the very top. Why would a girl have wings? Did she live in Christmas trees? Would she watch over us? Will she come alive on Christmas day? I imagined that she might swoop down to tell us that it's time to open up the presents. I wonder if she knows the tooth fairy? I hope Santa brings me chicken treats.

I must admit that despite the silly decorations, and bad smell of the fake tree it looks very beautiful!

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson #32 Don't let your tree be a fashion victim. Decorate responsibly!