October 29, 2009

We have a blanket at my house that has a name. It's called The MacDuff. Marianne pulled it out of the closet last night because she was cold and wanted something to snuggle into while watching the news. (I jumped on the sofa and offered to sit in her lap but she snapped, "Ross, off!" Jeez. I was just trying to help keep her warm.)

Anyhow, Meryl curled up on the sofa next to Marianne (keeper dogs, different rules, bah humbug) and asked why the blanket had a name. "Is it because it's this pretty plaid?" she wondered. "All your other blankets are plain colors."

"Well yes," Marianne said. "This is called a tartan and in Scotland tartans are associated with specific family names, like MacDuff."

"Or RRRoss," I added, rolling the 'r' to give it the proper Scottish lilt.

Marianne looked at me in surprise. "Now how did you know that?" she asked.

"Jennie RRRoss tauld me all aboot it, ye ken," I said smugly.

"Who is Jennie Ross?" interrupted Meryl. "She's a photo journalist at 7News," Marianne explained.

She turned back to me. "And why are you talking like that? Do you have something caught in your throat?"

"Dinnae fash yersel," I said airly. "I bin studyin' a wee bit."

Marianne looked at me warily. "Studying what, exactly?"

"Th' clan, o'coorse. Crivens, woman! Ah'm a RRRoss!" I barked.

"I see," said Marianne. "I'm just guessing, but have you been using the Nac Mac Feegles as your language tutors?"

"Och aye, they ur guid teachers ," I said. "Ah am prood tae wear th' RRRoss tartan, ye ken."

"And do you even "ken" what the Ross tartan looks like?" Marianne inquired, rather too politely.

I trotted over to my cape and pulled out two scarves. "Aye, Jennie RRRoss lent me these. Th' green is th' huntin' tartan."

Marianne laughed and draped the scarves around my neck. "Awe rite, ye win," she said, reaching for the camera. "Bonny Prince Ross," she declared, snapping my picture.

Haste ye back (and chow for now!)

Ross

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