And the Oscar for best perfomance by a Christmas Decoration goes to....

......Drosselmeyer, the plastic owl.

During December, our owl perches at the top of our Christmas tree:

The rest of the year he bides his time in the front hall. But last week he was conscripted to duty just outside the front door. His mission: Keep those blasted, messy chickens from soiling our front porch.

Drosselmeyer has taken to his new role as "Menacing Bird of Prey" with relish, and the chickens have abandoned the porch for more hospitable stomping grounds. The front porch is litter-free.

Or maybe it's a coincidence and the hens are having a good chicken-chuckle behind my back. Whatever. I am considering a few more owls. Or maybe fewer chickens.

Here's our one-and-only chicken song, dedicated to those feisty critters:

You tube link: Here.

Possum in the Hen House
words and music © Erin Coombs Friedman

Christmas Tree Bargain

The true spirit of the season: Getting a great deal on a Christmas Tree.



We bought a beautiful 8-foot Silver Tip Tree for less than $45 at Tom's Tree lot -- in Anderson, on North St, between Highway 5 and Stingy Ln. Located next to North Street Espresso at 2780 North St, Anderson.



We've poured champagne, we're listening to the Charlie Brown Christmas Cd on the stereo -- and we're decorating the tree. Well - some of us are decorating -- and some of us are playing Texas Hold 'em.

Not exactly Norman Rockwell, but probably as close as we can hope to get.

Eleven months out of the year, our owl, Drosselmeyer, sits in our entry hall. During December, he watches over the festivities from the top of our Christmas Tree: