Jots and Tittles and other Random Things

For Your Consideration: 12 Days of Christmas - Andre Style

First day: Partridge in a pear tree
Second day: 2 turtle doves
Third day: 3 French hens
Fourth day: 4 calling birds
Fifth day: 5 golden rings
Sixth day: 6 geese a-laying
Seventh day: 7 swans a-swimming
Eighth day: 8 maids a-milking
Ninth day: 9 ladies dancing
Tenth day: 10 lords a-leaping
Eleventh day: 11 pipers piping
Twelfth day: 12 drummers drumming

These are the beloved days and their corresponding going-on:

I've never seen a partridge in a pear tree, but then again, I've not seen a lot of these birds in this song. I have heard of turtle doves, but not French hens. All birds make racket, in my opinion, so what exactly are the 4 calling birds actually calling? 5 golden rings? I've seen a lot of "gold rings" at the store, or even at a pawn shop, but not exactly sure what they are referencing here. I've seen geese, but not "a laying". They were eager to chase me as a youngster when I didn't hand out bread fast enough! I've seen swans, even a swimming - but again, the number eludes me. I've never seen maids a milking, although I did see a homesteader show followers of her site show how to milk a cow. Seems like a lot of work. Nine ladies dancing; well, I've seen shows where there are many ladies dancing, gentlemen too, but none leaping, although I did see on Downton Abbey the footman Mosely cut loose after having too much to drink. I've seen pipers piping and drummers drumming - especially during half-time shows and parades. Numbers again, elude me; but that seems to be the way things go in my world

I think I have a better version for the song, especially since I'm writing a holiday blog for Andre The Blog Monkey. I just hope he doesn't "growl" at me, like he did tj: Tenebrous Jekyll . Goodness, what a grumpy ol' guy!


Anyway, I think it would go something like this: (especially after a few banana daquiries):

 

 

 

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

12 Capuchins sleeping

11 Baboons squawking

10 Tamarins grooming

9 Gibbons swinging

8 Howler's howling

7 Mandrills a growling

6 Spider monkeys climbing

5 Chimpanzees

4 Vervets a walking;

3 Marmosets a looking;

2 Sakis talking trash (as Sakis are known to get mouthy after drinking).

and a

Central American Squirrel Monkey finishing off the list