What traditional Christmas decoration is actually a parasitic plant?

Ooh! Ooh! I think I know this one. Is it the poinsettia?

And I just googled that to find out. I think the answer might actually be mistletoe. Poinsettia are on my mind because they’re poisonous for cats.

And I just googled that to find that poinsettias are only “mildly” toxic to dogs and cats. “When ingested, mild signs of vomiting, drooling, or rarely, diarrhea” may be seen. Thanks, Pet Poison Helpline, but I think we’ll go ahead and treat it as seriously toxic because there’s no time for vomit around here.

Maybe we should stop googling and move on to the next question.

Name something about this holiday season (whatever version you may celebrate) that most people like, but you dislike?

You know, despite having participated on a number of occasions I’m not a huge fan of caroling, either giving or receiving. Going caroling involves way too many unpredictable factors – freezing fingers and toes, forgotten lyrics, needing to pee when you’ve still got 45 minutes to go – for me to enjoy doing it. Plus I can be weird about strangers. Singing at them doesn’t mitigate that. And being caroled to gets hinky because I can’t quite figure out how I should react – grin, sing along, eye contact, gazing off into the distance thoughtfully, tossing tinsel into the crowd, what?

What’s your favorite – or least favorite –  song sung traditionally at this time of year?

Of the traditional Christmas carols I particularly love “O Holy Night.”

As for pop music, this one always has me singing along.

And the last one ———>  In the song “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” what “incriminating” evidence was found on Grandma’s back?

Tinsel? Carrots? Just kidding, it’s hoof prints. Now I’ve got that song stuck in my head.

Crap, I stink at this game! I just googled the lyrics to find those hoof prints were on her forehead and “incriminating Claus marks on her back”. Interesting point of fact: I’ve always sung “claw marks” with gusto and it wasn’t until this very minute that I stopped to think how much that doesn’t make sense. Reindeer don’t have claws. Duh.

Finally:  What would you like to share with the world, if time or cost were no object?

Thinking way outside the box now. I’d like every single person on earth to have unfettered, unrestricted, guaranteed access to one month of vacation leave annually. Studies show regularly taking breaks from work reduces stress, extends life span, improves mood and social life, reduces risk of heart disease, and increases workplace productivity. Plus happier people make for a happier planet.

Sparks from a Combustible Mind hosts Share Your World. Make it a great day!