I am fully convinced that certain members of the family are either insane or going there. That or I'm just losing my place as the strange one.

Xmas festivities included lunch at my aunt's house. This is a fairly new place for her and my uncle, I suppose they've been there for about 3 years. This is the first place where animals are allowed in the house. The basset hound - alright. If you like dogs, then by all means, let them into your house if you want. Imagine the sight that greeted us when we got there.

There was a little white bantam rooster standing just inside the door.

Yes, folks - I said rooster.

This chicken had free run of the house. It would jump up on the back of the couch and preen or simply roam the living room, looking for something to eat. At one point, the thing walked up to the gifts under the Xmas tree and pecked at several of them. Another uncle that was there even put it to sleep by petting him. Every once in a while, my aunt would have to clean up behind him, if you know what I mean. Her husband spent a good deal of the time watching a hawk that was in the back yard - he didn't want it to grab his chicken.

The strangest event of the day came when my aunt picked up the rooster and began talking baby talk to it. All my mom could say was, "Dottie and her grandchildren..."

Yep...I think I'm losing my title as strange one of the bunch. Damn.