Penny writes her Second Holiday Letter

We had a somewhat disappointing start to the year; the Dungeness crab season was delayed, due to climate change. The humpback whales are getting tangled in the crab pot lines, because the water is warmer, somewhere. I’m not an expert on meteorology; all I know is that we had to have sushi instead of our traditional New Year’s crab.

In April, Mum and Dad went to see the exhibition Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style, at the DeYoung Museum. They said they saw beautiful gowns worn by the City’s socialites, from the 20^th Century until now.

Did you know that Santa Rosa has its own airport? Charles M. Schulz Airport is named after the great “Peanuts” cartoonist, who lived here until his death in 2000. Mum and Dad have flown in and out of the airport, but this year they visited it, just to have dinner and see the Snoopy exhibits.

We don’t mind having our friend Ziggy come to visit, when his parents go out of town, as we know he won’t stay forever. Ziggy is paralyzed from the waist down, and lives with our friends, Albert and Diana. Albert is the Medical Director at the Humane Society, where Mummy volunteers. For the past 2 years, Mum and Diana have escorted Ziggy to the Wags, Whiskers and Wine fundraiser, to show the guests that even disabled cats can lead full lives.

Mum got another harebrained idea for fostering a kitten, so we had to put up with Richard the Lionhearted living in her studio for several weeks. I ignored him, Ginger tried to bully him, and we were both relieved when he finally found a happy home. We always worry that one day Mum will keep one of those foster kittens.

Ginger has had quite an exciting summer, as he made “friends” with the two cats next door, Lucas and Buki. Ginger walks over on his leash, with Mum. I prefer to watch from the window.

Sometimes, when my “lion” haircut is fresh, I get chilly. Auntie Juliette, Mum’s shelter friend, took pity on me and made me a beautiful, hand-knit, wool sweater, so I look fashionable and stay warm.

Mum and Dad enjoyed a few stand-up comedy shows at the Luther Burbank Center. They came home laughing after seeing Jerry Seinfeld, Wanda Sykes, and “Whose Line Is It Anyway”.

Dad took Mum to dinner for her birthday at Riviera, the local Italian restaurant (not the region of Italy). We always enjoy seeing what treats they bring back for us in the “kitty bag”.

Incidentally, we’re considering sending cards and letters electronically in future years. If we don’t already have your email address, could you please send it to either davidohodgson@gmail.com or mmqcthomason@aol.com?

We hope you have a happy holiday, and toes crossed for a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Love,

Penny