Virtual Quill

I love Kell; she's the mother I never had while growing up. I never even think of her as a stepmother anymore. Still, I acknowledge that she has her foibles (most of which come from her basic canine nature).
This came out Christmas Eve night when the family was gathered together, as usual for the holiday. (For me, of course, it was morning. As the nocturnal member of the group it's my job stay up all night guarding the presents.) Kell became focused on how Ms. Eyeshine was doing across the street.
While Kell doesn't have any pit bull in her, she does sometimes get a solid grip on an idea and won't let go. After a half hour of obsessing over it she finally went over to invite her to join us. Dad didn't argue; he knows her too well not stand in the way when she gets like this.
After about twenty minutes Kell returned alone, somewhat sheepish. Ms. Eyeshine had given Kell a Christmas ornament (a hairball covered with spray glue and glitter) which was hung on our tree.
Kell said that Ms. Eyeshine had kindly and patiently explained that felines celebrate holidays in a solitary fashion. (Something most of us knew already!) We ate dinner, and afterwards Kell took one of the bones remaining from the meal and covered it with glitter. By the next morning, Ms. Eyeshine had a new ornament for her tree.
This week's question for my human friends, How do you celebrate the New Year?

In addition to the usual Dewclaw drama I’m also now (almost) a member of another family. That entails a new set of obligations, including attending their family functions. In this case, their holiday gatherings.
I’m the only non-bat in the room, and at these parties everyone hangs from the ceiling. At first this was awkward, but now I simply use my quills to stick to a wall upside down. While that renders me immobile, I’m able to interact with the group. As you know, diet is what plays the dominant role in this society so as long I share their insect-eating customs we’re okay.
Speaking of which, knowing Quinn (Rhonda’s hedgehog husband) has reminded me that I’m not typical of my species. Most hedgehogs devour land-based bugs, but I fly so much with Fenton that I usually eat airborne insects. I tried introducing Quinn to winged snacks, but while he ate them I think he regarded them mostly as an exotic diversion. (Tigress Rhonda, of course, sees even the largest insects as food too small to even bother to floss.)
As usual, Fenton’s mom kept up her usual campaign to get me to set a date for the wedding. I held my tongue, but one of the uncles told me not pay her any mind. (I had to listen to him, after all. I couldn’t move.) He said that Fenton’s mom knows that I’m a “catch” and she’s afraid I’ll change my mind. (As if!) Still, I guess I should take that as a compliment.
Lastly, a llama friend recreated Gran’s carrot nog. Here’s the photographic evidence:

I’ve returned to Domain, and I made all As this semester. (Again) My first night back, Fenton’s family sang Christmas carols for me. While I couldn’t hear anything, the canines in the house certainly could!
We had a holiday party for just the family, and Gran made up a batch of her legendary carrot-nog. I had just a sip, and boy did it clear the sinuses. Gran and Elanor both had more than they should and they ended up sharing confidences. I wouldn’t say that it brought them closer together, but they did drop their reserve and were more brutally honest than usual. I’d say they now understand each other a little better.
Elanor went upstairs to her room afterwards and slept it off. Meanwhile, it was up to me to walk Gran back to George and Danielle’s place. I was worried that we might encounter predators while Gran was in no condition to defend herself. I was fully prepared to use my quills but fortunately it was a silent night.
I considered giving out the recipe for Gran’s carrot-nog, but as I know from experience humans have a different physiology and I don’t want anyone injured by it. So, instead I’ll just list the ingredients:
carrot juice
vanilla soy milk
egg substitute
heavy cream
sugar
nutmeg
brandy
Kentucky bourbon
(These are not listed in relation to the amount used!)
Finally, I’d like to really, really thank Terri the Tiger for answering the question about porn last week in the Comments section, thereby sparing me the embarrassment of doing it!

By this time next week I’ll be back home for the holidays, but I still have a couple more exams to finish up here. In the meantime I’ll address some of the questions that were asked here last week after I’d signed off.
J.A.M. requested info on Marty Stouffer. Yes, he exists over here. He makes gritty, slice-of -life documentaries.
Luna wondered about our world’s J.R.R. Tolkein. As you might expect from someone so fond of trees, he was an arboreal species. Specifically, a squirrel. (His friend C.S. Lewis was a hedgehog, not a lion as many have assumed.)
Someone asked about the number of Christmases we’ve had since Coney was born. I’m not sure what they meant, but it’s been a normal amount. They’ve just been action-packed.
S c y t h e had a good suggestion that I ask one question of the human world per week. That shouldn’t risk instinct loss, so I’ll take you up on that. Considering that Rudy just got his drivers license, what traffic laws do you have over there?
During the short time that Fenton and I spent as humans I drove extremely cautiously to keep from being pulled over. (The picture on my drivers license still showed me as hedgehog.) I just followed what the other drivers on the highway were doing. (Following the herd, so to speak.)