Well now _ Sarah has been so very good, she has. Ole Peg Leg has so many pressies to consider now. Since yez not be wanting teeth-bling, I'll be spendin' more on yummies an musik.

I'm not a stinjee Pirate mind you - I try to get something for St. Nicholas Day as well as Christmas, so be sure ta look in yer shooz on the appointed day. If yez don't and just wear 'em the livelong day, yer toez might be squishin' the goodies.

So sorry ta hear yer lil rattley pals is no more. I likes a good rat and not with cheese and sausage neither. Livin' on a ship, we gets used to them ratties and are right glad when they warn of leaks an imminent sinkings. We tries to bring along rat chow for 'em too (them block type things) so dem ratties'll not be tempted to eat our hardtack & jerky. I find they much prefer fresh fruit and some curds without whey. Healthy buggers, them ratties and much cleaner than sailors or parrots. Pirates only 'ave parrots in da moving pictures. No self-respectin' pirates stand for parrot poops all over the poop-deck..Arrrrh harr harr. An them empty seed hulls are nasty too. Rats is better.

I gots a rat ye know. He sits on my shoulder an wraps his long scaly tail round my neck . Hims is called Tuco. He gots brothers named Blondie an' Angel Eyes but they sails on t'other ship with One-Eye Wongo. Tuco is a right fat little ratter but I luvs him. Sings in my ear when happy, he does!

So is ratties yer totem animal then? Does figures of 'em bring ye luck?

Very truly yours,
Peg Leg Pierce & Tuco
Christmas Pirate & Soltice Rat