With due deference to Clement Moore……….
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the trailer,
Not a creature was stirring, only this old sailor.
Our stockings were filled, we had not a care,
Tomorrow’s the turkey, which I will prepare.
Everyone is nestled, snug in their beds,
While visions of scrapple dance in their heads
Lise in the bedroom, I poured a nightcap,
To settle my brains for a long winter’s nap.
My mind started wandering, an internal clatter
A little voice saying, did anything matter?
This year has gone by, quick as a flash
But I didn’t do anything one could call brash.
The glow from my laptop soon led me to know,
There had to be something that I could really show.
When what to my wondering mind should appear,
Twelve months laid out, very domestic this year.
Now Lindsay’s a driver, so lively and quick,
She can do automatic, not ready for stick.
Started working with wood, the hardwoods they came,
I saw and I plane, and I call them by name.
Now maple, now walnut, now oak and ebony,
Some cherry, some redwood, some ash and mahogany.
Filling the porch, and stacked on the wall,
I must have them, must have them, must have them all.
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
The dust and the woodchips filled the sky.
Made a nice dulcimer stand, so shiny and new,
Cutting boards, serving trays, temple swings too.
But our travel this year seems kind of mundane
No big adventures, it’s domestically tame
But then in a twinkling, the thought did appear
It’s not where you go, it’s the people my dear!
Moo got a bug, so to St. Louis we flew
Saw Stefan and Kasey, much partying too
Trip two to St. Louie was no casual run
Saw a celestial event, the moon blocked the sun
Anita turned 60, to Hawk Mountain we went
She used her new binos, ‘twas money well spent.
Walked to the north lookout, no easy trail,
Diabetes be damned, she never did fail.
Twice to Marquette, thanks to Joanna,
To such a good friend, we sing a hosanna
Company both times made each trip quite special
Hosted Ellen and Barb, then Molly and Mitchell
Delaware with Joanna, and then Stefan too
Good birding, good eating, Dogfish Head for brew
Pennsylvania with Lynn, she was quite gracious,
Jonestown and Lock Haven, she has two places.
Lebanon is old, we have deep family ties,
Nothing I see there is any surprise.
Her place in Lock Haven is really quite slick,
By the Susquehanna, one mighty big crick
The year seems mundane, a soft easy whistle.
To that statement I give a categorical dismissal.
We have such good friends, they made everything right.
So happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 