I had turned it off for the night.  I had snuggled into a chair.  A warm fire was blazing.  My pup was curled up on the floor.  I cracked open my book.

Taking one final glance at the fire, I saw something new.  Something startling.  Something not entirely welcome.

It stared back at me.  An expressionless glance.  The sort of look that said, “I’ll wait you out.  You have to sleep sometime.”

Yes, there on the mantel was a soldier.

Could it be worse?  Oh, yes.  There was another.

The invasion of the nutcrackers does not begin with a bang, but rather a silent wait.

Walnuts, beware!