Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

It's the Third Day of Christmas, and we're still all shades of festive over here. That includes our weekly rhyme. Indeed, we wrote us a Christmas poem for Angel Sammy and Teddy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

Each week, our hosts give us a photo prompt as guidance for our poetic endeavors. This week's quaint and cozy image is this one here:

Since my mind is indeed still stuck on Christmas, I forced this colorful, green scene into something completely different. Don't worry, though, there is nonetheless a cozy cottage or two in my poem. There is nothing vibrant green or flowery about it, though.

The Christmas Village

Ruby Sue spent Christmas Eve at her grandmother's house.

It was a silent night, and Ruby Sue was as quiet as a mouse.

After all, she didn't want Santa Claus to know she was awake.

She didn't want Santa to think her belief in him was fake.

Ruby Sue sat tucked behind the Christmas tree,

So that both the window and the fireplace she could see.

When Santa Claus flew in and headed for that very chimney,

Ruby Sue would have to conceal her inevitable, excited squee.

Although, Ruby Sue thought perhaps Santa was used to that.

Surely she wasn't the only child seeking a glimpse of that man in the red hat.

Even so, Ruby Sue did not want to be caught.

She did not want to land on the naughty list, no she did not.

Suddenly, though, Ruby Sue thought that caught she had been,

For a whispering and chattering sounded just then.

"Hey, little girl!" a voice did call out.

It was quiet and not even remotely a shout.

The voice spoke up yet another time.

It was a few minutes before the source of the voice Ruby Sue did find.

At first, the girl thought there must be a mistake.

Was she in a dream from which she needed to wake?

Surely the voice wasn't really coming from her grandmother's Christmas village.

The mere thought left in Ruby Sue's mind a downright silly image.

That Christmas village was a sweet and simple thing, like others of its kind.

Ruby Sue had to make sure she wasn't outright losing her mind.

Atop that old oak table beside the Christmas tree,

That was where the Christmas village could be admired and seen.

Quaint little cottages were scattered all about,

And wreaths and garland they did festively tout.

Miniature folk inhabited that little Christmas town,

And not a single one of them sported even the hint of a frown.

One tiny little fellow wore a coat and a top hat,

And was accompanied by an even tinier grey tabby of a cat.

The festive feline could barely be seen in the village's fluffy snow,

And around its neck it wore a merry and bright red bow.

Ruby Sue knew the village and its folk were made of something like plastic,

And so to think that anyone there had spoken was absurd and drastic.

Yet, the voice again spoke out,

And Ruby Sue saw exactly from where it did spout.

As far as Ruby Sue knew,

Cats could only meow and mew.

So, then, why was the miniature grey tabby waving a paw,

With words coming out of its tiny little maw?

"Yes, little girl, I am talking to you," the cat did affirm.

Those words were followed by a surprisingly loud and rumbling purr.

It continued, "I'm sorry to interrupt your Santa Claus vigil,
But could you do me a favor that is perhaps ever so little?"

The cat's voice matched its tiny little stature.
"Do you see that cottage just there to my right?" the feline asked her.
"See? That little house that has fallen right over in the snow?
Sometimes a house or two simply tips over like so.
Do you think you could help it stand back up, though?"

Though Ruby Sue could not form any words in reply
She did reach out and sat the fallen little house upright.
"Thank you so very much, little girl!" the cat exclaimed.
"When your house has fallen, really nothing is quite the same."

The cat then turned and scanned his little Christmas town.
He called out, "Friends, let's be real now.
You can stop putting on your statuesque show.

It won't hurt if the truth this little girl knows."

Just like that, the Christmas townsfolk began moving all around.
Ruby Sue was so shocked she could not utter even the slightest sound.
The tiny little man nearest the cat raised his top hat to her in a greeting quite polite,

And then he disappeared into the house she had just sat right.

That very house's window then began to glow,

In tones of warm and comforting gold and yellow.

After that, the windows began to glow in all the little homes,

As well as in the shops and the church that matched the fluffy white snow.

As if the live action miniature Christmas village wasn't enough,
There was then a thud and a jingling of bells on the roof up above.
It was the tiny festive feline who purred and did declare,
"Santa Claus is here to make his visit for the year!"

There was a shuffling inside the chimney,
Just across the room from the glowing Christmas tree.
Two booted feet were the first to make an appearance.
When Santa fully emerged, the little townsfolk were clapping and cheering.

By that time, Ruby Sue had ducked back behind the Christmas tree.
She didn't want Santa to give her coal if the sight of her he did see.
She watched as Santa grabbed himself a cookie and sipped some milk.
Then, over to the Christmas village itself he did carry his gift bag of red silk.

The first thing he pulled out of that sack was a tiny green bow.
He lowered it to the miniature cat and said, "This is for you, my good friend Joe."
The cat happily cried, "Oh, goodness me, it's a new bow for my wardrobe!"
Santa then doled out gifts to the rest of the tiny Christmas folk, one by one.
How did Santa manage all this and still beat the rising of the sun?

Next, Santa placed much larger gifts beneath the Christmas tree,
Leaving far more than even Ruby Sue could believe.
Just before he returned to the fireplace across the room,
To the shadows in which Ruby Sue hid his eyes did dash and zoom.
There was a twinkle in Santa's eyes when Ruby Sue came into his sight.
He winked as he waved and said, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

***

As always, Thimble is now taking a turn to share her gratitude in this Thursday post. Thimble and all of the kitties here, as well as this here human, are all so very thankful for the wonderful Christmas we had with family and friends. We're also beyond grateful for the fun and festive surprises we opened up from our Secret Santa Paws!

We tore through those beautiful gifts on Christmas morning itself. This here is just a sneak peek, and this weekend we'll be sharing the full range of wonderful gifts we received. Thank you to our Secret Santa Paws!

***

Last but not least, we have for you the fill-ins for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. On New Year's Eve, I _________.

2. A goal that I have for 2019 is _________.

3. If I had to choose a guide word for 2019, it would be _________.

4. New beginnings _________.

We'll see you tomorrow! Merry Third Day of Christmas!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip is one that can affect our indoor furbabies, and most certain any strays and ferals you might feed outside. During the cold winter months, it can be beneficial to increase the amount of food you feed to the furbabies in your life. This is because animals typically eat more in the cold months in order to produce more energy and heat for their bodies. This is why you might see your kitty or pup heading toward the food bowl more often than usual in the winter months. Then again, eating more food to stay warm is something that far more affects outdoor animals than indoor animals, since the latter are able to maintain their body heat far more easily. And, of course, if you have any concerns about how much your furbaby is eating or should eat, any time of the year, discuss this with your veterinarian.

When it comes to outdoor strays and ferals, if you are accustomed to offering them food outside, perhaps do consider feeding them larger quantities of food, or feeding them more often, during the cold winter months. Their bodies use that extra food to stay warm. Over the next few days we'll be giving more detailed tips not only on feeding strays and ferals, but also offering them assistance in other ways.