Not a creature was stirring, not even that pesky little mouse that has invaded my basement !! Ahhhh, but he met his match last night, and he enjoyed his last taste of peanut butter in my strategically placed trap!!
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be here!! Geez, better get that fireplace cleaned of creosote, and open the damper so he can get in....and oh, yes remove the logs I have all set for my Christmas Day fire...
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.. Well, not quite sugar plums, probably a new PSP, or Bay Blades, or the newest Barbie doll and her summer resort, including a pool!!
And mamma in her "kerchief" and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.... which took a couple of martinis, and a Manhattan or two....after all the commotion in the house, fighting the crowds at the mall...
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter.... I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutter and threw up the sash.... well, probably the window I would think....the squirrels were all fighting over the nuts I threw out for them and scampering all around my deck...I can't believe they can stuff three whole unshelled peanuts into their tiny little pouches, then scurry off to bury them somewhere..... to enjoy at a later time.
Well, you get the picture.. now here's the rest of that delighful poem....
Wishing all my AR friends and colleages, the Merriest of Christmases, or whatever Holiday it is you celebrate... and enjoy a healthy and prosperous New Year!!
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
