Cherry Bugg on the Loose Today

A picture from almost a year ago.  At this point in time Mary Jane would be chasing her.

Cherry Bugg had a day to hop and be free this afternoon.  While this is not always the best time of the year for the rabbits (shorter days mean shorter times out), there is one major plus: oranges.  The orange tree is ready to produce right now so every day Mister John grabs an orange and opens it up, leaving it on the ground.  The rabbits love the taste of fresh orange.  So does Mary Jane who has also been know to walk over and steal the orange slices from the rabbits.

Rabbits Try and Dig Hole to Korea

The rabbits are still quite angry that so much attention has been given to Mary Jane and Betsy Jo (and not to them!) that they are undertaking a massive digging project.  According to an unnamed source, three rabbits are plotting to dig all the way to the other side of the world -- which they believe is Korea -- so they can sneak Mary Jane back there.  Alas, this is wrong on many counts.  North/South Korea is not on the opposite side of the world as Dewey Street.  Furthermore, Mary Jane was born in Victorville.  And honestly as her father, that kind of insults Mister John that the rabbits have such a lack of geographical knowledge and care for a little girl who some day will be in charge of feeding them.  One must respect those who will ultimately be in authority over you.

Mister John has already filled a brick into that whole which seemingly has perturbed at least one rabbit.  A particular brown furred rabbit sniffed at and hopped away from the brick with a great deal of disdain.  While no rabbit has claimed responsibility for this whole, Mister John checked Phillip and Root Beer Float -- who both have predominantly white fur -- and witnessed no dirt marks on either their fur or their claws.  Ruby Jane, the self-proclaimed "Brown Bear" denied any digging of the hole and did not want to be subjected to any sort of spot check.

Miss Jill has stayed away from all of this conflict by saying it's not within her purview to make a comment.

Some Extra Pictures from Christmas

 
 Nothing quite like going back and downloading all sorts of pictures onto the computer.  Since we use two cameras: the small pocket camera and the "good" camera, they don't always get downloaded at the same time.  In fact, sometimes it's a matter of finding the right connecting cord.  Yeah, hate it when that happens... have a great photo and then can't find the right cord.

Anyway, here are some great photos to enjoy as well.  Yes, many are on Facebook but somehow these come with just a little more personality.

To No Avail

 Alas, after a long hard-fought season, the Spanish Inquisition lost in the championship game tonight.  I'm still stuck at three titles and haven't won one since 2006.  Argh... three lost titles since then.  At least I have a cool shirt to show off my team name.

And I do have to give mad props to Matthew Stafford, QB of your Detroit Lions, who represented in a big way today.  It wasn't enough but I shall officially re-christen him Beowulf.

Bowling for Grampa

Where's the 16-pound fingertip grip?

 Yesterday the Erb family went out and bowled for Grampa's 79th birthday.  All had fun including Mary Jane who was checking out the bowling balls.  Afterward, Daddy was holding Mary Jane and Betsy Jo at a restaurant.

More exciting information later.

Betsy Rolls Over

It took a while in this video... a full 30 seconds or so... but Betsy rolls from her belly to her back.  She's been wiggling and moving her arms and legs for weeks now but she had never quite put it together for an all-encompassing roll.  Sound and fury signifying nothing up to this point (what, can't a Brit lit teacher bust out some Macbeth from time to time?). Do note that in this video, the voices that are in the background are of Grampa Kendall talking to Mary Jane.  In the meanwhile, Daddy has the camera focused on Betsy waiting... just waiting... for the right moment.

This was actually the third time that Betsy rolled.  The first time was only for Daddy's eyes.  Then he recruited Grampa Kendall to come over and watch the rolly-polly girl in action.  Alas, Mommy, Gramma Kendall, and Aunt Nita were out shopping and missed the action.  That's OK, that's what this blog is for.  That and blaming Cherry Bugg for things like biting through our sound cord for the computer.  Argh!   Cherry Bugg!

So Far Just Sleeping and Napping

Mary Jane has wandered around with a few new toys and dolls in her hand.  She does like the toy cell phone as she now feels sooo adult.  As for Betsy, it's still a bit too much for her.  She's napping again... as I should be... now!

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).

The Shadow Chaser!

On a supposedly simple walk to the mailbox and back, Mommy and Daddy were delayed for about ten minutes by Mary Jane who decided to follow her shadow in the opposite direction.   Whether it was a mistake by the Postal Service or an error on behalf of Mommy and Daddy, the shadow pointed the exactly opposite way.  Maybe the mailbox was emitting strong energy beams which caused such a shadow.  No one is quite sure but that delayed a very simple walk.  Meanwhile, Betsy was quite calm and was carried without issue.  Well, unless her face was turned directly into the light of the mailbox... er, sun.

Hopefully the brief video of Mary Jane chasing her own shadow will be downloaded momentarily.  Otherwise you'll just have to imagine it.  I have faith in your imaginative abilities.

Tea Is Good

Hate getting a sore throat.  Or anything like a sore throat.  Then again to take some time off from talking is good.  And go figure this happens while I'm on vacation.  Good thing I guess... nothing like giving students some in-class silent reading.

Then again they do have silent reading over the break.  Murder on the Orient Express for the mainstream track and The Turn of the Screw for the honours track.  Good luck with that!  And dare I say, COUGH!