{"id":1701,"date":"2016-12-06T22:36:37","date_gmt":"2016-12-07T03:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1701"},"modified":"2016-12-06T22:36:37","modified_gmt":"2016-12-07T03:36:37","slug":"advent-day-6-sorry-its-late","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1701","title":{"rendered":"(advent) Day 6 – Sorry it’s late!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, December 6<\/span><\/p>\n

You didn\u2019t forget the castle, did you?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Schrodinger came running down the stairs to meet Drew at the door as he came in. They had come straight from the nursing home to the farmhouse the night before, since by the time they\u2019d finished hanging the chains and sharing the goodies that Molly had brought, it had been very late, and Lily had school the next day. Molly and Schrodinger had actually slept in, and Drew was going to bring the castle home with him when he came back from the Station.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t,\u201d Drew assured him, putting his bag down on the bench next to the door. There were snowflakes on his hat, and as he took his coat off, melting snow sprinkled down on the floor. It had been threatening to snow all day, and apparently now it had made good on that threat. \u201cIt\u2019s in the living room, under the window. I carried that in first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How are the roads?<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger asked him, as they went into the kitchen. Molly was in there, mixing up another batch of dough for the peppermint snowflakes she was making for the bake sale on Saturday. Drew paused to kiss her mid-stir, and then went over to the stove and poured himself a cup of hot water from the steaming kettle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re fine,\u201d Drew said, holding up another mug. Molly had a steaming mug next to her, but Schrodinger nodded and hopped into one of the chairs. The farmhouse kitchen was large enough to have a small butcher block table and four chairs in one corner, as well as the island where Molly was baking and the large stove. \u201cIt\u2019s more flurrying than anything, and the road crews are on the ball. Don\u2019t worry. I\u2019m sure Corrine will be out soon with the others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I hope so. It won\u2019t be fun if we have to miss a day.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t, \u201c Molly assured him. \u201cTrust me. This is important enough to the Cove that the Snow Queen and Old Man Winter won\u2019t let a little thing like weather interrupt it.\u201d She laughed a little at that. \u201cSeems so odd to say that, but it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Have they heard anything from Caliban?<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said, as Drew brought over both mugs of tea. Earl Grey for Schrodinger, of course, and a vanilla peppermint that Drew had recently become fond of.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cActually, King Mendron sent a message out to all the Gate Stations yesterday, stating that his son was on the move,\u201d Drew said, stretching out his legs and sighing. \u201cBut we\u2019re not sure to where. He might not come back here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope not,\u201d Molly said. \u201cIt would be nice not to have to worry about him for Christmas.\u201d She shook her head. \u201cAh well. I noticed Lily didn\u2019t seem as down yesterday – did you have a talk with her, Schrodinger?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not me. Other than to tell her I love her and that I\u2019m here if she needs to talk, I mean.<\/span><\/i> The CrossCat blew across his tea, cooling it before he took a sip. <\/span>But I think going to the nursing home last night helped. She loves it there.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cGrandma Rose and the others are such good people,\u201d Molly agreed. She turned the dough out onto the marble block inlaid in the island that she had already sprinkled with a bit of sugar, and shaped the cookie dough into a log that she then wrapped in plastic. It went into the refrigerator with the eight other logs that were already in there. Schrodinger knew that Thursday and Friday, she would be baking and decorating them. Luckily, her magic allowed her to keep the cookies fresh without having to worry about making them too far ahead of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then she went to the pantry and came back out with more ingredients that she started to measure into a clean bowl. \u201cI thought we\u2019d make pizza tonight for dinner,\u201d she said, and both boys nodded enthusiastically. \u201cWhile I do, Schrodinger, can you help Drew get the living room cleaned up? If it continues to snow, we might have guests all night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time Corrine pulled into the driveway with Lily, Kaylee, Jack, and Gideon, Schrodinger thought she might be right. The light snow flurries had blended together, becoming a steady stream of snowflakes that danced in the glow of the golden faery lights that were strung in the yard. To Schrodinger\u2019s utter delight, after \u00a0Drew had found several large cat stuffed animals that were currently hanging out in the sleigh, looking for all the world like a bunch of CrossCats out for a ride, courtesy of the large polar bear that was hitched to the front of it. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe brought our sleep-over stuff!\u201d Gideon announced, as they all came into the house. \u201cJust in case!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d Molly said, grinning at them. \u201cI don\u2019t think Schrodinger will mind sharing his bed!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not as long as you don\u2019t kick,<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger agreed. <\/span>And Molly\u2019s making pizza for dinner!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd maybe french toast for breakfast,\u201d Molly said. \u201cBut let\u2019s see what the advent castle has for us today!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me! Molly had Drew put it in the living room!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The living room was one of Schrodinger\u2019s favorite rooms in the farmhouse, especially during Christmas. They hadn\u2019t gotten the Christmas tree yet, although they\u2019d been out to Cohen\u2019s Christmas Tree farm already and tagged the tree that they wanted. Molly\u2019s little Christmas tree was already on top of the TV stand, bejeweled with the bright balls that Drew had commissioned for her, and there were Christmas lights hung in the windows that looked out over the back yard. The castle was sitting underneath one of the windows, carefully placed so it couldn\u2019t be bumped into.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t started looking yet, have you?\u201d Kaylee asked Schrodinger.<\/span><\/p>\n

No, I was helping Drew clean up,<\/span><\/i> he said, leading them over to the castle. <\/span>So that we\u2019d all be on the same ground.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder what it will have us do today,\u201d Lily said, kneeling down. \u201cI like that this one has us decorating the Cove. The other one was fun, but this means something. We\u2019re doing something good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Schrodinger glanced at her, wondering if she\u2019d discovered what the actual purpose of the calendar, but her face gave nothing away, so if she had, she was keeping it to herself. <\/span>Yes,<\/span><\/i> he agreed, looking back at the castle for the day\u2019s number. <\/span>It\u2019s fun to help.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

And to know that we are making others happy,<\/span><\/i> Jack added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan you imagine not being happy at Christmas?\u201d Gideon said, crouching down to look at the castle closely. \u201cIt\u2019s so sad to think of that. What would you have to do to be so unlucky to be unhappy at Christmas?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes it just happens,\u201d Molly said, coming in behind them. \u201cIt\u2019s not done on purpose, but people forget. Or they move away, and lose contact. People get lost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike Jack Frost did?\u201d Lily asked, turning to her. \u201cBefore you and Drew showed him how to be happy again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Like Jack, and Old Man Winter before him,<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said, before Molly could answer. <\/span>Luckily for the Cove, Molly\u2019s got a magical gift.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t just that,\u201d Molly told him firmly. \u201cThe cookies helped, I\u2019m sure, but it was more that I took the time to be there for them. Anyone can be kind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lily pondered that for a bit as she continued to look for the little number 6, the tip of her tongue gliding along her lips. Kaylee was the one who found the window they were looking for, and pressed it.<\/span><\/p>\n

It had been on the side of a small stable, and when it opened, they saw all the horses, cows, and goats in their stalls, munching on hay and watching two grooms work on repairing what looked to be a set of reins. Then, Schrodinger realized that there were buckets at their feet, and they reached into them every so often. What he had thought were reins were actually knotted garlands of hay and oats and greens and apples, and the grooms were hanging them up for the animals to munch on after they were put together. One small red apple dropped from the basket and bounced out to them, becoming a ball of paper that fell at Jack\u2019s feet. Lily picked it up, smoothed it out, and read, \u201cIt\u2019s not just the humans who celebrate the season. Tis the time to remember all our sisters and brothers, especially those out in the cold.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She looked up at Molly. \u201cWhat does it mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt means that you guys should follow me.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Molly led them back into the kitchen, where Drew was busy popping popcorn. There were three large bowls of fluffy kernels already on the table, and Molly went into the fridge, pulling out three more bowls of cranberries.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re making garlands for the birds, right?\u201d Kaylee said excitedly, clapping her hands together. \u201cYay!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are,\u201d Molly said, nodding. \u201cAnd that\u2019s not all, but let\u2019s do this first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In short order, all three children were busy stringing the bright red cranberries and white popcorn onto kitchen twine. Once she had them set up, Molly turned and looked at Jack and Schrodinger. \u201cReady for your part?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes!<\/span><\/i> They both said eagerly. <\/span>What do we get to do?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile they\u2019re stringing the garlands, I need you guys to go out to the barn,\u201d Molly said. \u201cThere should be several bags out there that I need you to bring in here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bags?<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger and Jack exchanged confused looks. <\/span>What kind of bags?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see. Trust me, you won\u2019t be able to miss them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If you say so.<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger shook his head, but he and Jack went out of the large cat flap in the kitchen door. When Molly and Drew had bought the farm last year, they had thought about renting out the stalls in the barn, since neither of them were riders. But they hadn\u2019t quite gotten around to it yet, so the barn was a catch-all spot. There was no hay in the hayloft, but Schrodinger could still smell the dusty summer smell of the bales that had been there for so many years. The farm had been a working farm up until a few years ago, after all. <\/span><\/p>\n

When is Molly going to realize that she could get so much fresher ingredients if she had chickens and cows? <\/span><\/i>Jack asked him, as they nosed open the barn door.<\/span><\/p>\n

She won\u2019t get animals,<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said. <\/span>Not for food, anyways. She said she doesn\u2019t want to eat anything that she loved. But she\u2019s thinking about chickens and maybe a goat or two.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Goats would be fun to play with,<\/span><\/i> Jack said, his tongue lolling out. <\/span>Because I know she won\u2019t let us chase the chickens. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Not more than once, no.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Once their eyes adjusted to the dim light in the barn, they saw what Molly must have been talking about. There was a pile in one of the stalls that Schrodinger didn\u2019t remember seeing before. The smell coming off them was familiar too\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Apples!<\/span><\/i> He sniffed the bags.<\/span>. I smell apples, don\u2019t you?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Yes.<\/span><\/i> Jack joined him, sniffing as well. <\/span>But there\u2019s another smell too. <\/span><\/i>\u00a0He sniffed again. <\/span>Fabric. And not just the bags. There\u2019s another kind of fabric in there.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Schrodinger peeked inside, as the bags were simple cloth shopping bags that were open on the top. <\/span>It looks like pillows,<\/span><\/i> he said. <\/span>Who stuffs pillows with apples?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

And why?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

When they brought the first two bags into the kitchen, Molly nodded. \u201cThanks, guys! There should be six total. They can go into the hall, so we can grab them later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There are, <\/span><\/i>\u00a0Schrodinger said, pausing on his way through. <\/span>And they aren\u2019t heavy. What are they?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cBlankets,\u201d Molly said. \u201cFor the shelter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do they smell like apples?<\/span><\/i> Jack said.<\/span><\/p>\n

She laughed. \u201cBecause the quilting group makes apple pies while they put them together, usually. I\u2019m sure that\u2019s what you\u2019re smelling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time the pizza was done, the bowls of popcorn and cranberries were empty, and Jack and Schrodinger had helped supervise the stringing. After they ate, Molly (who had been keeping an eye on the weather) said, \u201cOkay, guys, into your coats and hats! We have to go deliver these!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still snowing out, though!\u201d Lily said, cramming her hat over her hair. \u201cWill we be able to get to the animal shelter?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, it\u2019s not that bad,\u201d Drew assured her. \u201cI\u2019ll drive slow, and the Jeep has the snow chains on. Besides, the animals are waiting for their Christmas presents!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They piled into the Jeep, and headed out into the snow. The Carter\u2019s Cove Animal Shelter was run by Dr. Ken Harrington, the vet who had taken over for Doc Robbins when he retired. The old vet was still volunteering most days a week, to no one\u2019s surprise, and Dr. Harrington had meshed into the Cove well. The fact that he\u2019d brought in funding to build a brand-new shelter had helped, of course.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new facility was out along the Casper River, the faster of the three rivers that fed into the Cove, on an old farm that had gone up for sale. The farmhouse and some of the outbuildings had been destroyed in a fire, but Dr. Harrington had rebuilt it, and outfitted the rest of the buildings to deal with the various animals and non-human residents of the Cove.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they pulled up to the main building, Schrodinger saw that the Animal Shelter had gone for a woodland theme in their decorating this year, which meant their chains would fit in perfectly. There were several large trees, and they had glass globes hung in the boughs that looked like pinecones, but filled with white and green lights. More white lights encircled the windows of the Animal Shelter, and there were wreaths of evergreen boughs on the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

The waiting room held a large Christmas tree, decorated with colored lights and various animal ornaments. The tree topper was a raccoon holding a star, looking both innocent and mischievous. Underneath the tree were various sized wrapped boxes, with all sorts of large tags on them, sitting on a plaid tree skirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, everyone! How\u2019s the snow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Harrington himself was sitting behind the desk, but he stood up as they came in, and came around to the front, obviously expecting them. He was a satyr, but the white lab coat didn\u2019t look odd on him. Schrodinger assumed it was because they had always seen him in it. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Dr. Harrington!\u201d Lily and Kaylee rushed up to him, familiar with the vet because Jack still hadn\u2019t managed to go more than six months without giving in, chasing a porcupine, and ending up with quills in his muzzle. Gideon held back a little, but the satyr gave him a cheerful smile after he greeted the girls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, you must be Gideon! I heard you were helping out with the decorations this year!\u201d He held out his hand, and Gideon took it, shaking it firmly. \u201cWelcome to the Cove!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you!\u201d Gideon said, and then looked around. \u201cThis is so cool! Do you really treat dragons here? I mean, big dragons, not the little ones you can get in pet shops. But like, fire-breathing dragons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Harrington laughed. \u201cWell, we would, if we had any fire-breathing dragons that needed assistance! But there aren\u2019t really that many big dragons in the area, so I can honestly say we haven\u2019t treated one here yet. We did have Spot here for a bit, but not because he was sick. Mr. Grey had to travel, and couldn\u2019t bring him along, sadly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I wonder where he had to go that Spot couldn\u2019t go,<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said. <\/span>Molly never had to leave me behind.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re also not a hell hound the size of a shetland pony,\u201d Molly pointed out. \u201cThere are plenty of places I can imagine Spot couldn\u2019t go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great place to stay,<\/span><\/i> Jack added. <\/span>I\u2019ll bet he had the big kennel. It\u2019s got an exercise yard and everything!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Schrodinger was fairly certain that Spot could control his size, if necessary, but perhaps the hell hound had wanted a vacation as well. There was something to be said for not having to be ogled, and outside of the safety of the Cove, there would have been a lot of ogling done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Harrington was looking at the bags they were carrying. \u201cSo what do you have for us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe made edible decorations for the outside!\u201d Kaylee said, bouncing a little. \u201cFor the birds!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the quilting circle sent blankets for the animals!\u201d Lily added, showing him the bag she had. \u201cSo they have warm beds!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful!\u201d the vet said, clapping his hands together. \u201cI know just where to hang those decorations. Follow me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He led them out a different door, towards the back of the facility. Schrodinger, who had never been here (CrossCats were hardy enough that he\u2019d never been sick, and there was still questions about any vaccinations he might need), looked around him with wide eyes. The air was scented with astringent cleaner, just a bit of fear, and metal, but there was also the underlying smell of care and love. Doc Robbins was in one of the rooms that they passed, and they paused to look in.<\/span><\/p>\n

The older vet was seated on the floor, holding the tiniest kitten Schrodinger had ever seen in his hands. The little kitten was all white, except for a smudge of grey that covered one eye, like an eyepatch. His eyes weren\u2019t even open yet, and Doc Robbins had an eyedropper in his other hand that he was dripping milk into the open mouth. At his feet, there were more kittens, snuggled up to a cat that was shockingly thin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schrodinger stepped in, and paused back until the cat opened her eyes. They were gloriously copper, startling against her black fur, and she looked very tired. <\/span>Hello, little sister,<\/span><\/i> he said softly, dipping his head. <\/span>Are you being well-taken care of?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Yes, big brother, <\/span><\/i>\u00a0she replied, closing her eyes again. <\/span>These are good people, and my kittens will survive and grow strong, even if I do not.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

You will,<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger promised her, coming a little closer and giving her a comforting lick on her ear. It broke his heart to see how thin and tired she was. <\/span>You will be well, and see your kittens grow to be beautiful cats.<\/span><\/i> He looked up at Doc Robbins. <\/span>Right?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she just needs sleep, and food,\u201d Doc Robbins said. \u201cShe\u2019s in a good place now, and we\u2019re making sure the kittens don\u2019t drain all her resources while she recovers. Luckily, she was found before they all starved.\u201d He set down the white kitten, and picked up another one, this one a black kitten with a white chest and two white socks that protested mightily until Doc Robbins started to drop formula into its open mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schrodinger nosed the mother cat again. <\/span>Sleep well, little sister. I will come back and visit, if I may.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Of course. <\/span><\/i>Her voice was a bare whisper, and he saw her settle into rest again.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he rejoined the others, he saw the solemnity of the children. Dr. Harrington led them away, and said, \u201cShe was lucky that she was found. But like Doc said, she should make a full recovery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Lily said soberly. \u201cShe was so thin! How could that happen?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bad things sometimes happen,<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said. <\/span>But now she is safe.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd sometimes circumstances force people to make hard choices,\u201d Dr. Harrington added. \u201cWe\u2019ll nurse her back to health, and then see about getting her and her kittens into forever homes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Schrodinger looked at Molly, who raised an eyebrow at him. \u201cDo you want a kitten, Schrodinger?\u201d she asked him. \u201cThey\u2019re a lot of work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I know. I\u2019m not sure a kitten alone would be a good idea. But we do have a farm, and it might be nice to have help with the mice.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

She looked suspicious. \u201cHow many kittens are you thinking?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe not kittens. That mother will need a home too.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d she said, and Schrodinger knew the seed had been planted. If he could help that mother cat into a better place, it would make his Christmas that much better.<\/span><\/p>\n

>Activity: The birds and squirrels love popcorn and cranberry chains! Make one or two and hang them on an outside tree to share the season with them.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tuesday, December 6 You didn\u2019t forget the castle, did you? Schrodinger came running down the stairs to meet Drew at the door as he came in. They had come straight from the nursing home to the farmhouse the night before, since by the time they\u2019d finished hanging the chains and sharing the goodies that Molly …<\/p>\n

>>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[61],"class_list":["post-1701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advent","tag-advent"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1701"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1701"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1702,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1701\/revisions\/1702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}