Tea Leaf Tales: Vixen’s Hunt for Christmas Tree Demons

     Vixen held back and didn’t even nip at Jean and Eric when they positioned a pine tree near the living room’s heat duct, her mid-morning resting spot. Although she pretended to be upset, the tree actually provided her hours of exciting challenge and real purpose since it was loaded with shiny, twirling birds, squirrels, and other curious varmints that must be conquered. Come night, under cover of the darkness, in stealth predator mode, she sprang at a grinning pink demon and, with one masterful swat, knocked it to the floor and squeezed out its last traces of evil.

     The next morning, Eric yelled, “Cat, you do that again and your name will be worse than a nasty-tempered little vixen.” He shooed her away with his slippered foot, and muttered guttural sounds as he pushed the tree from where it rested against the couch. Why wasn’t she rewarded with hours of tummy rubs and Fancy Feast for dinner? Despite what Eric thought, she’d never caused any harm during her heroic missions.

     That afternoon, while Vixen sulked in a sunny patch near the front door, a card zipped through the slot. On it a hefty man in a red suit waved, and printed beneath his proud team of antlered deer she read, “Join Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph for Santa’s Christmas parade.” At last, some real appreciation, she thought and stood vigilent for the friendly white-bearded man to arrive.

Tea Leaf Tales is a series of original ten-sentence short stories by Marsha A. Moore, relating to photos/scenes that resonate with her. 

Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. 

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Read Marsha's COON HOLLOW TALES of paranormal romance and her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Tea Leaf Tales: I found out what Reindeer do before Christmas

With Christmas a week away, I expect Santa and his elves are working round the clock. But what about the reindeer? How do they prepare for their incredible world flight on Christmas Eve? I’d be carb-loading for sure!

I’ve wondered this for many holiday seasons, and this year I may have found a clue. Take a look at this common-looking deer I spotted recently while taking an early morning hike.

Only later, when I checked out this picture, did I notice those odd glimmers of sparkling light on the twigs near her body. Remaining drops of dew possibly reflected the angled sun rays, but I suspect the camera lens detected magic radiating off this special deer—a reindeer. She was grazing and taking a peaceful stroll through the woods. I think she was centering for her enormous responsibilities soon approaching.

Tea Leaf Tales is a series of original ten-sentence short stories by Marsha A. Moore, relating to photos/scenes that resonate with her.
~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One, SEEKING A SCRIBE, Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED, and Book Three, LOST VOLUMES. She has also authored the Ciel's Legacy series, with fast action mermaid/pirate storylines: TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE and TORTUGA TREASURE.  For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.