It has been a week to remember.

Cousin Jingle/Jangle returned to the North Pole, just this morning. There is still much work to be done at Santa’s work shop, however, she made several stops in the Meridian area during the last two weeks.

You might ask who is Cousin Jingle/Jangle.

She is Santa’s Mississippi Cousin and you know how very important cousins are in Mississippi. Ole Santa relies on his Mississippi cousin for a lot of help. You know he is so very busy. So she travels the state gathering information for him and as well catching local youngsters up on all of the latest news at the North Pole.

Yes, it is a big job, but she is up to it, no doubt.

The kids always ask her about the reindeer and the elves. The news is good. She said the vet was out recently to check them and as well shine their hoofs. And the elves are busy. The workshop is humming along building toys to be delivered on Christmas Eve night.

The latest news about Mrs. Santa Claus is that she is cooking – cookies and candy, along with other yummy stuff. I mean everyone loves her cooking, especially Santa. Ho! Ho! Ho!

The big news this year is that the entire North Pole is now computerized! That’s right. Tell all of the boys and girls that they must get their letters written, texted or emailed as soon as possible so that the elves can enter all of their information into the system, which by the way includes the MAPS application. No directional worries for Santa this year.

Of course, one of the wonderful things about living in Mississippi is that Rudolph & Santa have a natural guide. That would be the Mississippi River, of course. In our area, when the magical sleigh flies over Memphis, then it is just a hop, skip and a jump in order to arrive into East Central Mississippi. Saves Santa a lot of time you know.

So you can see how crazy/busy it is now at the North Pole. It is a good thing that Cousin Jingle/Jangle made several stops recently in the Meridian area. She visited with more than 500 children at the Soule Santa’s Workshop and then she stopped at St Patrick’s School for a private conference with the entire Pre-K, Kindergarten, first and second grades. Plus the cousin spent some time on WMOX radio with Jane Smith.

Yes, it has been a busy time and the children have all been attentive and talkative. Probably several parents and a few grandparents would be interested to learn a few of the conversations the kids shared with Cousin Jingle/Jangle. I mean the little ones’ chit/chats might be fodder for an entire book or at least a newspaper column. Stay tuned.

Of most interest for the kids has been the Naughty & Nice List.

Cousin Jingle/Jangle’s

~NAUGHTY AND NICE LIST ~

1. Are you sweet to your parents, brothers & sisters, and your teacher?

2. Do you always say yes ma’am and no ma’am to adults, especially the preacher?

3. Do you pay attention in class?

4. Do you complete your homework and create beautiful artwork?

5. Do you mind your manners (please and thank you)?

6. Do you take care of your pets, give them fresh food & water and a safe place to sleep?

7. Do you love grandma and grandpa & give them lots of hugs?

8. Do you keep your room clean and hang up your clothes?

9. Do you help your parents with the chores?

10. Do you always leave milk and cookies by the tree for ole Santa on Christmas Eve night?

And I heard the cousin mention that it would be a good idea for all parents and grandparents (aunts & uncles too) to pay special attention to the list. One can never get too old to be nice. Just saying …

So yes, this has been a week to remember, a good week and a wonderful week.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Anne B McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Performing Artist and Teaching Artist Rosters. See her web site: www.annemckeestoryteller.com.