Bunnies Irritated at Another Thumpmas Ignored

All those Christmas presents but again the bunnies ignored just like the Jesus manger scenes.  Lambs, sheep, and cows... but no bunnies!  And they were there.  They've just been ignored.  THUMP!

Do They Know It's Thumpmas?

Thumpmas time is back again! Time to get out your cards and give them to your favorite neglected rabbits. What? You don't know about the most significant event in the rabbit calendar? For shame! And a thump at thee!  You need to know these important events!

Let me recount the backgrounds of this hallowed day of Thumpmas. On that night of December 25th so many years ago, a tired Joseph and a quite pregnant Mary were trying to find a place to stay for the night. There was no room in the inn so they had to stay out in a nearby stable. All the animals all were allowed to stay: sheep, donkeys, raccoons, dolphins (I mean dolphins?  really?)... everyone except the rabbits! They were forcefully moved out by the Shepherds. Then the Magi later came by that night and tried to eat them! How intolerably rude!!! Thus the rabbits on the scene were quite upset and rightly so. The birth of the Baby Jesus startled them with His commotion. With all the Seraphim singing and the Choirs and Hosts rejoicing, the rabbits could do only what they knew: they THUMPED. And with that thump, that startled the Baby Jesus and He cried with His mellifluous voice for the very first time. Granted a few windows broke -- most windows in the Bethlehem area were not Divinity-proof -- but still the upset rabbits helped create one of the seminal moments in Jesus' life. The rabbits look back on Thumpmas with mixed emotions. Yes, the great Jesus was born but they were also kicked out of their home, thus starting a tradition in many nations: the chasing of rabbits out of hutches on December 25th.

Ironically, Miss Jill and Mister John are with two new children this Thumpmas. But no rabbits were kicked out. Instead they shall be fed at home by a bunny sitter.

Rumor has it in the bunny community that Miss Jill and Mister John adopted a second beautiful baby girl this year for the sole purpose of not bringing a bunny out to Arizona for Thumpmas.  Not to worry, Mary Jane and Betsy Jo will learn the true meaning of Thumpmas when they return home... and a rabbit steals an apple from them!

In an inglorious turn of events, our dear Miss Bugg had her e-mail hacked and spam was sent from her account the day before Thumpmas.  Talk about having no respect for rabbits on their solemn day of contemplation (and irritation).

Thumpsgiving Is upon Us Again

It's Thumpsgiving once again, that time of year when all rabbits come together and thump about what truly displeases them.  Yes, this goes all the way back to the earliest days of our heritage when Pilgrims and Indians when they shared their first big supper... and then gave none of the delicious salad leftovers to the rabbits.  The indigenous rabbits of the New England region thumped at those careless humans and the tradition has carried on ever since.

Today Cherry Bugg clearly celebrated Thumpsgiving as an unhappy indoor bunny.  The other members of the Erb clan all managed to hop outside while she stayed indoors.  Nevermind that it was comfy and warm inside with Miss Jill, Mister John, and the two little girls away for most of the day.  She still needs to find something to the thump about.  And she always does!

The two sisters, Root Beer Float (seen above) and Ruby Jane, thumped that they were not allowed to hop in the back yard for the entire day.  They were rounded up by noon and neither were happy about it.  Again nevermind that they grazed for hours on the recently rain-rejuvenated grass.  Thumpsgiving is for thumping and not for appreciation.

Phillip clearly thumped at the handyman who was in our back yard creating an extra fence between us and the neighbors to our west.  Phillip does not like anyone in his territory; he is the alpha rabbit afterall.  Furthermore, he despises any extra interior decoration without his initial approval... in triplicate.

As for Miss Jill and Mister John, it's been a long year since last Thumpsgiving.  Two baby girls, an occasionally messy hours, and less hours of sleep have pervaded into their lives.  But they would never thump at their lovely two daughters who have brought so much joy (and again lack of sleep) into their lives.  Maybe Mister John will thump at the McRib going away so soon... but he barely even knew it was here.

Don't forget: it's only one month until Thumpmas.

Heading Home... at Last!

Miss Jill, Mister John, and Mary Jane are finally on their way home to Los Angeles tomorrow after a longer-than-expected stay in Arizona. That darn RSV held up Mary Jane for a few days but now she is sleeping like she always does... with that nice soft grunting sound. It was quite helpful to have Jill's family provide the overtime hospitality for us. Typically dead fish and guests smell after three days but we tried our best not to overlive our stay.

Today we managed to wander around the desert with MJ. Well, she was kinda held up in my pouch but that's ok. She'll be out and about and wandering next year and we'll be telling her then not to touch the cholla and watch out for scorpions, fried foods, and guys with tattoos on their foreheads. But all in due time.

But for now... a peaceful night of sleep and a hopefully inconsequential drive back into rainy (once sunny) California. At least the rabbits will be happy to see us... or will they? Thumpmas has come and gone yet again. Hmm...

Mary Jane out of Hospital

It took three full days plus a few hours but our little girl finally was cleared to leave the Phoenix Children's Hospital this evening. She was admitted on Christmas Eve with bad congestive signs. She was later diagnosed with RSV which is some form of respiratory virus (you go look it up). It is something that could be fatal if left unchecked for too long. Luckily our girl was surrounded by lots of family that night so everyone was all, "What's up with that wheezing?"

The hospital was extremely efficient in admitting her. We never had any doubts regarding her health, it was just the inevitable wait for her to recover completely. After three full days, she sounded so much better and her eyes started to dart around like the Pilot's Boy in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." OK, so some of you have not read that recently. Well, snap to it!

Anyway, she is back at Chez Kendall now and will head off with Mister John and Miss Jill on Wednesday. Of course the fates have it lined up that it will rain incessantly on Wednesday again. Joy. Didn't we just leave that alluvial madness?

Do They Know It's Thumpmas?

Thumpmas time is back again! Time to get out your cards and give them to your favorite neglected rabbits. What? You don't know about the most significant event in the rabbit calendar? For shame! And a thump at thee!

Let me recount the backgrounds of the hallowed day of Thumpmas. On that night of December 25th, a tired Joseph and a quite pregnant Mary were trying to find a place to stay for the night. There was no room in the inn so they had to stay out in a nearby stable. All the animals all were allowed to stay: sheep, donkeys, raccoons, dolphins... everyone except the rabbits! They were forcefully moved out by the Shepherds. Then the Magi later came by that night and tried to eat them! How intolerably rude!!! Thus the rabbits on the scene were quite upset and rightly so. The birth of the Baby Jesus startled them with His commotion. With all the Seraphim singing and the Choirs and Hosts rejoicing, the rabbits could do only what they knew: they THUMPED. And with that thump, that startled the Baby Jesus and He cried for the very first time. Granted a few windows broke but still the upset rabbits helped create one of the seminal moments in Jesus' life. The rabbits look back on Thumpmas with mixed emotions. Yes, the great Jesus was born but they were also kicked out of their home, thus starting a tradition in many nations: the chasing of rabbits out of hutches.

Ironically, Miss Jill and Mister John are with new child this Thumpmas. But no rabbits were kicked out. Instead they shall be fed at home by a bunny sitter.

True Chip came out last Thumpmas to Arizona and thumped all night in the Kendalls' laundry room because someone (re: Miss Jill) left the light on all night in there. Rumor has it in the bunny community that Miss Jill and Mister John adopted a beautiful baby girl for the sole purpose of not bringing a bunny out to Arizona for Thumpmas.

Miss Jill and Mister John Arrive (Somewhat Dry) in Arizona

The rains were incessant, the rains were inexorable, the rains were intolerable... but the rains have now passed. But there was still a long drive from LA to west of Phoenix through the unrelenting rain. It finally stopped by the time brave Monty passed Quartzsite.

Now Mary Jane seems to be resting well in her first trip out of the state. She's sleeping well; as for her parents, who knows? They left their bunnies behind and hopefully someone else is feeding them for Thumpmas. It's the most thumperful time of the year.

Thumpmas Is Coming!

Get ready. Thumpmas is only a week away!

Expectations Oscillating Between Vapid and Insipid

But don't tell the ghost of Charles Dickens that. Or at least the Ghost of Thumpmas Past. I'll leave that for Miss Jill.

Vindication

OK, the second half was much much better than the first half. A new game plan, better defense, one timely interception. That's all we really needed. While 7-6 does not look like a great season by any means, it's not only better than 6-7 but we're also NOT U$C.

Chip and Cherry Bugg both united in watching the second half and by saying, "Go Bruins!" The best of all Thumpmas gifts...

Thumpmas Stick Not Approved

Chip was given two sticks for Thumpmas: one in the box (pictured to right) and one in the cage (also pictured but to the left). Alas, Chip was not amused and repeatedly tossed it out his cage. But for the picture he reluctantly allowed it to stay inside for the requisite five seconds for photographing. But as soon as Miss Jill withdrew her camera, TOSS! Out goes the stick. Nothing like acts of indignant defiance on Thumpmas.

Chip Insulted with Gift Stick

Chip was quite unamused when Mr. John and Miss Jill brought him a desert stick for Thumpmas. He first lunged at it then tossed it outside of his cage. He didn't mention that he loved the carrot given to him earlier in the day. Or the excellent nose rub Mr. John gave him in the morning. But for now, a disdaining Thumpmas thump. No news on what RBF, Ruby Jane, Phillip, and Cherry Bugg received for Thumpmas. But one would think they would not be satisfied.

As for Miss Jill, she really likes her new boots which make her feet feel comfortable. Mr. John also received some appropriate t-shirts, board games, and books.

All Rabbits but Chip Ignored for Thumpmas

It's the annual tradition in the Erb household. The bunnies get together and celebrate Thumpmas without Mr. John and Miss Jill who mysteriously disappear every year. But the bunnies discovered this year that their owners have scurried off to Arizona to be with Miss Jill's parents. And they also took Chip with them to show off! "The indignity of it all!" proclaimed Cherry Bugg. "That little pipsqueak doesn't know the slightest thing about Thumpmas yet they take him to show him off to all those people." Finally, after an elongated thump, "And I'm cuter too!"

Root Beer Float took a more conciliatory approach. "That's okay that they took him," said RBF in between bites of a carrot. "More food here for us anyway." That thought was seconded by her sister Ruby Jane who didn't bother to answer as she was eating a carrot as well.

Miss Jill denied any wrongdoing and said, "We're just trying to spread the joy of rabbits to all!" The Erb rabbits have yet to comment on that.

First Semester of Grad School Complete

There is no truth to the rumor that Mr. John is taking classes in Feeding Rabbits. He just finished his first two M.A. classes and feels relieved. That sort of relief that only completing a 14 page hand-written final on Chaucer can do.

Time to go pet a bunny. A nice furry bunny that fluffs up for Thumpmas.

Thumpmas, Two Weeks Away

Again the commemoration of the greatest indignity of rabbit history occurs in two weeks. On that night, Joseph and a pregnant Mary were trying to find a place to stay. There was no room in the inn so they had to stay out in a stable. But the animals all were allowed to stay... except the rabbits! They were forcefully moved out by the Shepherds. Then the Magi later came by and tried to eat them! How intolerably rude!!! Thus the rabbits on the scene were quite upset. The birth of the Baby Jesus startled them. With all the Seraphim singing and the Choirs and Hosts rejoicing, the rabbits could do only what they knew: They THUMPED. And with that thump, that startled the Baby Jesus and he cried for the very first time. Granted a few windows broke but still the upset rabbits helped create one of the seminal moments in Jesus' life. The rabbits look back on Thumpmas with mixed emotions. Yes, the great Jesus was born but they were also kicked out of their home, thus starting a tradition in many nations: the chasing of rabbits out of hutches. (Heck, Australia even has a rabbit-proof fence! Those heathens)

Make sure you leave a large carrot out on Thumpmas night. Otherwise the great Thumpmas rabbit may get upset and go potty on your sofa. Don't want that to happen!

No Rumor that Mister John Is Running from Thumpmas

Now that Thumpmas is only a few weeks away, the pressure is on Mr. John and Miss Jill to get presents for the rabbits. While they were denying the pressure, a picture was just leaked of Mr. John supposedly running to a store to buy carrot-scented presents. While no one can actually confirm this, the number pinned to his chest confirms some sort of organized action.

Thumpmas for the Rabbits

The bunnies are quite pleased as it that time of year again, the celebration of Thumpmas when the bunnies thumped at the Maji for presenting such crappy gifts.  They wanted carrots, lettuce, and hay.  Guess those wise men weren't so wise, were they?

Princess Jane wants a larger tiara this year.  Phillip wants more dance music CDs.  Cherry Bugg would like a getaway vacation.  Root Beer Float and Ruby Jane both would like a buffet filled with bananas, dead leaves, and dictionaries (go figure).

Have a hoppy Thumpmas Day everyone!

Post-Thumpmas Happiness

Jill and I have returned home from our sojourn into Arizona where we are plenty of food, shocked each other routinely (due to the low humidity), and met with much of her family. Now upon our six plus hour trek home, it's time to flop like a bunch of lop eared rabbits. Of course we had to let out the Happy Couple (Phillip and Jane) as well as the Little Girls (Root Beer Float and Ruby Jane). Alas, poor Cherry Bugg will not be out until tomorrow. But we gave her extra hay so that counts. I'd also like to thank one of the UOMEs who helped feed the long eared rascals while we were away. I was told that they even let him pet them. Wow.

Time to make the phone re-charge and to give RBF a shot. Poor girl.

By the way if you go to Google and type 'Thumpmas,' there we are! Yes, you can just taste the excitement.

Do They Know It's Thumpmas?

Over two thousand yaers ago, the pregnant Mary and her husband Joseph struggled to find a place to stay as she was nearing birth and every innkeeper said there was no room. So they found a stable and gave birth to the infant Jesus there. Not only did shepherds and "wise men" show up from far distances, so also did animals. Sheep, goats, camels, and dogs were many of the animals that were invited to attend.

Alas, rabbits were not invited. It was later discovered that their invitation was lost and this could only be told to them by St. Francis who could speak to the animals. This, however, was over 1,000 yaers too late. The rabbits were not amused. So they created their own holiday: Thumpmas. This commemorates the inability of the messengers of the time to spread the Word to the rabbits. Thus on that specific day of the yaer when all other men and creatures celebrate Christmas as the birth of our Lord and Saviour, rabbits celebrate Thumpmas in which they thump every twenty minutes to signify their frustration in not being invited to the Great Birth.

Nowadays some manger scenes have added rabbits to the Nativity but that is just revisionist history. We know the real truth.

Cherry Bugg, Princess Jane, Phillip, Root Beer Float, and Ruby Jane will be celebrating Thumpmas this December 25th. Will you?