All aboard!

Friday turned out to be the big day when the surprise Christmas gift arrived. I was so excited to see that box on the front steps!

I still couldn’t imagine what it might be, especially because the box was on the big side, but fortunately I didn’t have to wait until Christmas to find out. Mama G gave me permission to open it immediately, though of course her permission was irrelevant, since we cats pretty much do as we please. So I dug right in!

I didn’t quite know what to make of it all as Mama G helped me unwrap the various pieces, but as things took shape, I realized it was a miniature train set! I kind of suspected at that point that the gift was really more for Mama G than me, but it’s the thought that counts. Mama G has always loved trains, but ever since she crossed off one of her bucket-list items in September and rode Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle in a sleeper car, she just can’t get enough of them! She’s even booked a longer train trip next month, from Chicago to San Francisco. Mama C, on the other hand, considers riding long distances on a train, even with your own bedroom, more of an ordeal than an adventure, so she just wishes Mama G well and bids her bon voyage!

Once Mama G started laying down the track, she had one of those “D’oh!” moments that so many adults have at Christmastime while trying to assemble things for their children. She soon realized that there was not enough track to go all the way around the tree, which is where holiday train sets traditionally go. She was momentarily crestfallen, as if she had just learned that the federal subsidy for her railroad had ended. But she’s pretty resilient, so she set it up next to the tree, and promptly ordered more track on Amazon (that driver and I will soon be on a first-name basis!).

Soon everything was set up and it was time for the inaugural journey. I admit, I was a bit scared when the train first started up, because I just wasn’t sure what that thing was capable of. Mama G ran it slowly, she ran it fast, she backed it up and even deftly coupled a couple of cars that had become detached. It has a little headlight that casts an eerie glow as it goes round and round. Finally, I had had enough, and came to the conclusion that any self-respecting cat would: this baby needs to be derailed, and now!

Mama G gently scolded me, and gingerly put the little engine back on the track. She loves that train! I’ve pretty much made my peace with it, and even enjoy curiously watching it as it makes its pointless, endless journey.

Mama C, however, is concerned that Mama G is going to become one of those people, a train hobbyist who sets up track throughout the house and builds miniature villages. And Mama G did make mention of adding “just a few” village pieces. But don’t worry, Mama C, I’ve got your back! I promise to be one of those anti-development, “not-in-my-backyard” kind of residents.