Saint Nicholas. And explosions.

December 6 and it's Saint Nicholas Day.  Saint Nicholas was a Bishop in the 4th century - in a place called Asia Minor - which is now Turkey.  He did all kinds of good things and legend has it that he was known for secret gift-giving.  Saint Nick became the model for Santa Claus - so he is basically Santa's predecessor.  Interesting - he was the patron saint of children and also brewers, repentant thieves and pawnbrokers.   Go figure.  He's also the patron Saint of Greece. And in some places, this day is THE day to get gifts - not Christmas.  I am assuming we will get some extra treats today - or at least some extra banana.  Although I did see that gifts from Saint Nicholas are meant to be shared.  And not hoarded.  I'll have to work on that...

December 6 also marks a sad day in Halifax, Nova Scotia  history.  It was 99 years ago today that the largest man-made explosion (before the atomic bomb) took place in Halifax harbor.  Two ships - a relief ship and a cargo ship carrying munitions collided in the harbor.  The resulting explosion could be felt more than 200 miles away - in fact windows 50 miles away were said to have shattered.  Half of the city was destroyed - and more than 2,000 people died and another 9,000 were injured.  But despite this terrible tragedy, humans DO help one another in times of need, and relief poured in from Eastern Canada and the North Eastern US.  In fact - the city of Boston helped so much, that to this very day, the city of Halifax sends a Christmas tree to Boston in thanks for all their help.  Check it out:
http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/gallery-nova-scotia-christmas-tree-lights-up-boston-common
That's almost as big as the tree my human cut down on Sunday for our house.  When she brought it home with some friends, Frodo, Elroy and I just looked at each other.  We figured there was NO way that tree would fit in our house.   My human sequestered us while they brought the tree in - as she had visions of one of us peeing on it.  And then the bungee corded gate to the DFZ was secured.  They somehow managed to do some minimal pruning - and the tree fit!!!  Later, while my human was decorating the behemoth, Frodo constantly tried to get in the room - every few minutes.  In fact, he was a bit obsessed with getting in among the 4,398 boxes of ornaments.  There was NO WAY my human could leave the gate unsecured.  But that's the funny thing with Frodo - he does NOT take no for an answer.  In fact, when they FIRST got home with the tree, all three of us were initially sequestered in the dog run in the garage.  But it wasn't long before Frodo and I were free.  Frodo managed to squeeze the door open - he's a bit like worm - he can wiggle his way through.  And I followed him.  Elroy is too big- so he was still stuck in the run...

So once all of this decorating is DONE we are looking forward to sitting under the tree, by the fire and dreaming of sugarplums.  Whatever sugarplums are.   AS IF my human will allow the three of us in there.  At the same time.  BUT - one can dream of it...and if Frodo has anything to say about it, we'll be in.  And Halifax will experience a second explosion....

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!!!