A routine training exercise for Santa’s reindeer turned disastrous as Rudolph attempted to set a speed record around the North Pole a week before their big day. A poorly-scheduled remote-control helicopter test just so happened to coincide with the day’s speed trials for the reindeer. Some say the elves had one too many aircraft toys in the sky at that moment. Others think that Rudolph thought to cut a corner a bit too close, inadvertently entering the testing perimeter. Regardless of who was to blame, the red-nosed reindeer collided with one of the larger toys at what appeared to be his full speed, sending him careening into the ground. They say the crater was quite impressive.

With a trip to the North Pole’s finest (and only) medical center, and three days of surgeries later, Rudolph is expected to make a full recovery! Granted that full body cast isn’t going to be coming off until May, and with all the physical therapy he’ll need to relearn how to walk, he might~ just be able to help pull the sleigh by next Christmas.

Until then it’s a lot of sitting propped up by a fire, getting plenty of rest. Having done a number on his muzzle, the now fully-certified oral surgeon, Hermey, had to do an extensive wiring job on his friend’s jaw. Hopefully he doesn’t get too tired of eggnog and puddings.

And speaking of eggnog, it looks like one of the teammate’s spiked the pitcher before they left on their way to do their deliveries.

***

The holiday season is a rough time for me. As a retail veteran of more than a decade, and being in a management role, this makes this time of year one of those ones that I usually skip over in terms of sharing with people online.

When I was feeling really low last month, a lot of you came around to try to help me out of my funk, and I really needed that. Thank you all so much!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and for me, personally, Bah! Humbug!

Special credit to endospup15 on Twitter for giving me the idea for this piece, and for helping to brainstorm some of the details.