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'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house Not a creature was stirring not even a canine  Kara's kennel. That's Joplin on the left and Haley on the right. Joplin has since moved out, however.  Here we see Kara flanked on the left by the reclusive Sage, and on the right by the attention-craving Haley The Stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there  Alright, I forgot to hang the stockings but my new apartment does have chimneys at least. It's a pretty cool apt and for $335/month it's a good value!
I now live on Pittsburgh's North Side in the historic (i.e. old) Mexican War Streets neighborhood.  These old Victorian mantelpieces are cool for parties. The Children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of marshmallow chicks danced in their heads  And momma in her kerchief And I in my cap Had just settled down For a long winter's nap  When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter Sage sprang from his bed to see what was the matter Away to the window He flew like a flash He tore open the shudders And threw open the sash  The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below  Stranded in Mechanicsburg, PA on 3-14-99. You may remember this picture from last year's winter update.
It's been re-run more times than a Mash episode. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer 
With a little old driver so lively and quick I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick, More rapid than Lehigh Univeristy Mountain Hawks 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 Donner and BLITZBURGH!  Actually, "blitzburgh" refers to the '94 Steelers defense whereas this year's defense has come to be known as "Big Nasty D."
Of course, "On Donner and Big Nasty D" doesn't work very well in the poem so I harkened back to '94.
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  And here is Jim Mazza's Christmas tree "mounting 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  Speaking of hooves . . . here is the Furman University Paladin atop his trusty mount Sterling As I drew in my head and was turning around Down the chimney Santa and a paratrooper came with a bound 
Stand Up, Hook Up, Shuffle to the Rear . . . Kara Jo DeWitt in full Battle Rattle and parachute.
(Airborne troops are specially trained to dismount from low-flying sleighs)
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 ruck-sack. 
Here's a Christmas puzzle for you . . . Can you spot the deer hunter
in this photograph? Be warned: He is a master of camoflouage
and can blend into any background. Western PA whitetails
refer to him as "le Chameleon." Thanks for the pic Wendy.
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 on his chin was as white as the snow The stump of a pipe he held tight in this teeth And the smoke it encircled His head like a wreath  Mr. and Mrs. Claus on their 64th wedding anniversary. Pic by UJ
He had a broad faceand a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump a right jolly old elf And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself  All kidding aside, I think Grandpap may just be Santa Claus. He's a right jolly old fellow. And he's got a broad face and
a little round belly. Furthermore, he used to smoke a pipe. And what about that red and white outfit? Coincidence? You decide. 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 what makes a better stocking stuffer than the Poker Cats? Pic by UJ.
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  Then I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight Merry Christmas to all And to all a good night! |
