I celebrate Yule more than Christmas, but Christmas the seasonal celebration is important to me. I love the little traditions, and the spirit of joy to the world, however little we actually realize it. I don't do a lot of interior christmas decorating, but I do enjoy a christmas tree.

I live in an apartment, and my living room is awkwardly designed, so a big tree is not an option. Most of the time, I get a potted tree, which lasts several months until I get lax about watering it in the Texas heat. So they still die, but it's more a slow, agonizing death by dehydration than the quick slaughter in the fields. This year, it's a potted rosemary, beautifully shaped and very large (and heavy to carry up steps). 

Last year I did without, seeing how I had two feral kittens, adopted early in December.  Because of their penchant for licking and chomping everything, as well as a few rounds of the Thunderpaw 5000 at varying times throughout the day, I'm currently keeping it atop a stool, out of paws' reach.  There is one dangling sprig that particularly entices them.  I'm debating whether or not to put lights on it, but for now, it's very simply decorated. 

Being a 'new pet mom' I'm more sensitive about pet dangers than I was with my last cat. While Keely loved her some pine, she generally didn't knock things over, swarm, or plot creative disasters and accidents. No, she was a hairball girl.  These two rambunctious boys are agents of chaos.

So no lilies here, and I'm as mindful about keeping things out of reach that might be toxic.  The ASPCA has an Animal Poison Control Center with a list of toxic substances, including plants. Despite popular belief, Poinsettia is not on the list. 

Completely Unrelated: Don't forget to watch Dear Zachary  tonight on MSNBC (that's channel 49 on Time Warner Austin)!