Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Jim walked outside and looked around. But he didn’t see Spock. Not anywhere he could see in the immediate area. For a moment, Jim glanced back at the house thinking maybe he had been wrong about Spock coming outside.

But then he saw a flash of color in the darkness. The Christmas red and green sweater Spock had reluctantly put on because Jim had asked him to.

With a smile and warmth blossoming in his chest, Jim headed toward the barn where he could see Spock leaning against the dark red structure.

“Hey, babe, you okay?”

“Affirmative.”

Jim walked up to Spock and was pleased when his Vulcan straightened enough to pull him into his arms.

“Sorry you came with me to see my family for the holidays?” Jim was only half teasing. The Kirks could be challenging for most people, Jim guessed, but especially staid Vulcans like Spock.

“I am not.”

Jim pulled back to look at Spock. “You sure? I understand if we’re too much. And honestly, I didn’t know Sam and Aurelan and Peter and Uncle George and Aunt Loulabelle and…

“Jim. I am not sorry.”

“It’s a full house. And with Bones here too…did you come out here because you got a little…overwhelmed?”

For a moment, Spock didn’t answer, but finally he slowly nodded. “They are rather boisterous.”

“They are.” Jim kissed him. “Are they too much?”

Spock blew out a breath. “To be with you, nothing is too much.”

“God, I love you.”

“My affection for you transcends everything.”

Jim laughed. “Some how that sounds way better than my simple I love you.”

Spock shook his head. “Not to me.”

Jim hugged him close. “Aren’t you cold out here, babe?”

“I was before you came out. But if that is your way of asking me if I am ready to come inside, I am.”

Jim held on to Spock as they turned toward the house. “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” He chuckled. “Want some hot chocolate?”

“I could get…frisky.”

“I’m counting on it, Spock. I’m counting on it.”

December 24, 2019

O Christmas Tree

“Tyler Christmas Trees,” Chris read the sign as Zach pulled up in front of the tree lot.

It was a tree farm, really, and outside of Manhattan, of course, because there was hardly room for a farm there. Sure they had lots here and there dotting the streets of New York City, but Zach had wanted to go to the farm.

“I went here a few years back, first year I moved to New York,” Zach explained as he pulled into a parking space. “They have Santa and peppermint mocha in the barn over there.”

Chris smiled. He sounded kind of excited at the prospect. Zach had a sort of infectious excitement. He got out of the car and followed the other man through the gates of the farm.

“Is this the kind of place where you chop down your own tree?”

“Yeah you can do that kind of thing, if you’re into playing Paul Bunyan.”

Chris laughed. “You’re not I guess.”

Zach gave him a look. “I like real trees and all, but I like convenience.”

Chris walked into the barn after him. It was decorated with garlands and glitter and Santa and reindeer. Mrs. Claus too. Children sat on the lap of Santa, ushered there by elves.

“Cute. Did you have real trees growing up?”

“When Dad was alive, yeah, but once he passed Ma got artificial. It was easier for her with two boys to raise by herself. But since I went out on my own, I’ve been getting real. When I get a tree at all. Sometimes I didn’t bother because I was too busy.”

Zach walked up to the counter where a pretty elf stood manning the peppermint mochas. “Two please.” He took out his wallet and paid, handing one to Chris.

The “elf” was staring openly at Chris, giggling as she did.

Zach rolled his eyes as he put his hand on Chris’ arm and led him away. “Bet she’s seen Wonder Woman.”

“Maybe.”

“Let’s go check out the trees.”

They walked out of the barn and out to the pre-cut trees.

“Flocked or not flocked?”

“Not flocked. I get enough snow without having it in my apartment.”

“Hmm.”

Zach glanced at him. “What about you? Did you guys do Christmas trees?”

“Yeah, we did. Neither of my parents were particularly religious, though I guess they were as kids. But we kind of paid attention to holidays from a secular point of view.. So, yeah, we had a tree. And they were usually real ones.”

Zach smiled. “Well, thanks for being here to help me pick out my tree. It’s great to have you here in New York right now.”

They went up and down aisle after aisle until finally Zach stopped by a six and a half foot leafy tree.

“This is the one,” he announced. “Let me get someone to help us.”

They ended up scheduling it to be delivered to Zach’s apartment rather than them dealing with it themselves.

After it had been set up, Zach stood back and surveyed the tree. “What do you think, Pine?”

He put a deliberate stress on Chris’ last name that had him rolling his eyes. “Yeah, it looks great.”

Zach moved close to him and put his hand on Chris’ arm. “Ready to help me decorate?”

“Sure am.” He covered Zach’s hand with his. Then with his other hand he held up some mistletoe. He leaned over and kissed Zach softly. “Merry Christmas, babe.”

“Speaking of…” Zach murmured against his lips. “Is there anyway…?”

“I can stay in New York for Christmas?”

Zach sighed. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t ask. Your family…never mind.”

“Zach, I didn’t say no.”

Zach’s gaze rose. “But?”

“But nothing.” Chris grinned. “I can stay.”

“Are you sure?”

Chris’ smile gentled and he kissed Zach again, longer, softer. “I’m sure.” He turned toward the tree. “Got your banjo?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Just get it.”

Zach walked away and returned with his banjo, a question in his eyes.

“Do you know ‘O Christmas Tree?”

Zach laughed. “Oddly enough, yeah.” He began to strum it.

“O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Thy Branches.”

December 23, 2019

Walk With Me December Edition

If you can stand one more post from me…

It’s been a while since I went for my walk around the neighborhood so now seemed like a good time.

December Trees losing their leaves and yes changing colors

This one has lost all of his but they’ll be back in the spring

Look at how brown these are, they were green not long ago

Looks like Santa got run over by his reindeer!

December 22, 2019

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah

TOS OMS

Kirk had not really grown up with much religion. His mother had told him about several and encouraged him to investigate them and their beliefs as he saw fit, but he really hadn’t delved too much into it.

He knew a lot from reading, of course. And being a fan of Dickens, he’d read A Christmas Carol a time or two.

By the time he had become a young man in Starfleet he didn’t give much thought to any of it. His mind had been on other things.

Even when they’d been on the planet in system 892, it had taken Uhura to correct his perception that the inhabitants were “sun” worshipers when in fact they had worshipped the “Son of God”.

Even after he and Spock had bonded, retired for the most part, and settled at his family’s old farmhouse in Riverside, Iowa, Kirk didn’t give it much thought.

When he’d been captain of the Enterprise, the ship had festive events surrounding the holiday season. He’d participated in those he thought he should and excused himself from those he thought he could get away with.

To his knowledge, Spock had participated even less than he had, though Kirk knew that Spock had been very private before they’d fallen in love and bonded. Even now, there was so much about his husband he didn’t really know.

So when he came down rather late for breakfast one December morning, he was surprised to see Spock performing a ceremony with candles, and chanting in a language unfamiliar to him.

“Spock?”

“Good morning, Jim.” An eyebrow shot up. “Or rather, Good afternoon.”

Jim smiled sheepishly. He’d been feeling a bit under the weather lately, plus he seemed to need more sleep the older he got. “Morning.” He snagged a cinnamon roll from a basket of them and tore off a hunk.

“What are you doing? Jewish, right?”

“Affirmative. As you are aware, ashal-veh, my mother was Jewish.”

“Sure. But I was unaware she was practicing,” Kirk admitted, feeling embarrassed. He should know this.

“When she was able to, she did. My father of course preferred the Vulcan way and discouraged her from sharing much of it with me. But when I was very young, she would celebrate Hanukah with me. Even give me small gifts.”

Kirk frowned. “Why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“There was no reason you would know nor a reason for me to tell you,” Spock replied. “I have not observed it myself for many years, but with the recent death of my mother, I find myself thinking of her and of it.”

He moved closer to Spock, surveying the candles. “And you’ve had these all this time?”

“Negative. My father presented me with them after her death when you and I were on Vulcan. He saw no purpose in keeping them.”

Kirk met Spock’s gaze. “He really is never going to be warm and fuzzy is he?”

“You know the answer to that.”

“Yeah. I mean things can’t really take the place of the person we lost, I get that, but it’s…nice to have something, you know?”

Spock nodded. “I know. She used to sing songs too. One was ‘Hanukah, Oh Hanukah’.

Kirk searched his memory, trying to remember the song. He shook his head. “Can you sing it?”

For a moment, Spock simply stared at him. But then very softly he sang,

O Hanukah O Hanukah, Come light the menorah

Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora!

Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat

Driedels to play with & latkes to eat

and while we are playing, the candles are burning low

One for each night, they shed a sweet light, to remind us of days long ago

Kirk hugged Spock. “Thank you for sharing that with me. Your mom with me. I’m very glad I got to know her.”

“Me too.” Spock lit a candle.

Latke Recipe

December 22, 2019

And Some Final Pictures

Snow! Well…what passed for it at Knott’s Merry Farm

Our Work Stairs That Aren’t Quite Finished

December 21, 2019

Cookie Making

On December 8th we attempted to make cookies, here a are some pictures

December 21, 2019

Decorations Sister’s

Gingerbread Lights (She likes Gingerbreads)

December 21, 2019

I Have a Little Dreidel

Spock watched as his Captain visited with his mother. They seemed to get along very well. Many times while they reminisced over things they had shared and things they had not, they both laughed. Jim laughed often, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he did so.

He had not been back to Vulcan for a long time. Well, he supposed that wasn’t entirely correct. He had been back for his…unmentionable time with T’Pring…which of course had been nothing short of a disaster. But for a visit to his parents, well, it had been years.

But since seeing his parents when they were being transported to the conference on Babel, his mother had been asking for a visit on Vulcan.

During a rather recent disturbingly violent mission, the Enterprise had been damaged enough that they stopped at a Starbase for some repairs, which permitted the crew to take a short break.

Since Vulcan was only a short transport ride from the Starbase, Spock could find no logical excuse to avoid going there. And he’d asked his Captain at the last minute to join him. He had expected Jim to say no.

He had not.

“And then there was the time when we were on Earth and Spock sang in a performance at his school,” Mother’s voice rose enough to catch Spock’s attention.

Stiffening, Spock moved closer to where Mother and Jim sat in the breakfast nook having coffee together.

“Mother…”

“Oh, Spock, Jim wants to hear this.”

Jim smiled. “I certainly do. I can’t imagine Spock ever singing. I didn’t know Vulcans did much singing.”

Mother’s smile widened. “Oh they don’t. And of course that’s exactly what Spock said at the time. Sarek was spending an extended time on Earth for his ambassadorial duties. So Spock and I were living in Ontario near my family. He attended a school there and they put on a holiday pageant.”

“Oh?” Jim smirked and eyed Spock. “A new side to you, Mister Spock.”

It took every ounce of control for him not to blush. Fortunately he’d spent many years learning to control his emotions, his very self, actually, so he did not. He just stared stonily back at his Captain.

Mother stood up suddenly. “You know I believe I have a recording of little Spock singing I Have a Little Dreidel.”

“Mother…”

“I would so love to see that,” Jim said, quickly.

“I’ll go and get it,” Mother promised. “I’ll be right back. And with some Hamantaschen cookies.”

Spock watched her hurry away.

“Captain, I ask that you not indulge…”

“Oh, come on, Mister Spock, I’m looking forward to seeing you. I’m sure you’re just one of many children on stage. Your mother’s proud of you.”

“But Captain…”

“Don’t make me make this an order, Mister Spock.”

He felt a muscle jump in his jaw. “Very well.”

Jim patted his arm and smiled warmly at him, hazel eyes sparkling.

Mother came back then, holding a small PADD device in one hand and the plate of Hamantaschen cookies in the other. She set those on the table in front of Jim. “My own recipe. I haven’t made them in many years, but when Spock said you two were coming, well, I just couldn’t resist.”

Jim picked one up, a blackberry one, and took a large bite. “God, that’s good.”

Mother beamed. “I’d forgotten what a charmer you were. Here.” She handed the PADD to Jim. “I had nearly forgotten about this. Sarek…well, I’m sure you can imagine.”

Jim’s smile was gentle as he took the PADD. His gaze shifted briefly to Spock and in that gaze, Spock caught something he had never really realized before. His breath stilled as Jim’s gaze shifted back to the PADD. He pressed play.

Spock stepped close to look down at the screen in Jim’s hands. A group of children stood on a stage awkwardly singing.

I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play.

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
Now dreidel I shall play.

It has a lovely body
With legs so short and thin
And when it gets all tired
It drops and then I win.

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
Now dreidel I shall play.

My dreidel is so playful
It loves to dance and spin
A happy game of dreidel
Come play now, let’s begin.

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
Now dreidel we shall play.

“Spock didn’t want to sing, of course,” she said. “He told me ‘Vulcans don’t sing’ and I said, yes, but humans do.” She laughed. ”In the end I won this one. But that was the one and only time.” Her smile grew wistful. “Spock wasn’t very indulgent.”

Jim looked at her and then back at the children. His finger stabbed down at the screen. “There you are, Spock.”

“Affirmative.”

“Amanda!”

She sighed and got up. “That’s Sarek. I’ll be back in a bit.”

When she had gone, Spock said, “I have seen enough.”

Jim shook his head, but he turned it off. “You were…cute.”

“Jim.”

Jim put his hand on Spock’s arm. “You were very cute, Spock. And you made your mom happy. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Hmm.”

“Sit. And have a cookie.”

Spock sat beside his captain and took the offered cookie.

“Happy Hanukkah, Mr. Spock.” He reached over to Spock’s hand and curled his fingers around Spock’s palm. Spock met his gaze and gave Jim one of his very rare smiles.

Hamantaschen

December 21, 2019

Decorations (Mine-Home)

I got a request from J who missed my usual decoration pictures I have posted in the past. So…here are some pictures, post 1. I will do other posts.

It was the day after Thanksgiving and all through the house…elves. My sister bought me a little Elf tree this year, so I decided to do all elf decorations. Yes, I am a dork. Anyway this is much much much smaller tan the usual tree, but it was cute!

Ignore any mess you see!