With due deference to Clement Clarke Moore.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, in West Lafayette.
Nothing is stirring, that’s a safe bet;
Stockings were sent to those that we care.
Everyone’s scattered, we wish we were there.
I hope they’re snuggled, safe in their beds,
While visions of scrapple dance in their heads.
And Lise in PJs, and I with a nightcap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out of nowhere my brain filled with clatter,
Reminiscing the year, what did it matter?
Then came a glimmer, a really quick flash,
It’s all about family, our gang so brash.
Everyone’s scattered like new falling snow,
Getting together is tough now you know.
When what to my wandering brain did appear
Oh yes, New Orleans, for Thanksgiving this year
With Molly and Mitchell, so lively and quick
We all went native for the cocktail schtick
More rapid than eagles the cocktails they came,
We wanted them all, and called them by name
Now Sazarac, now Roffignac, now Absinthe Frappé
A Ramos Gin Fizz, on to Vieux Carré
Out on the porch, or lean on the wall,
A dash of Peychaud’s brings life to them all
They all were great, with the Hurricane exception,
Now mass produced, it’s a cruel deception.
The food and the coffee, an epicurean delight,
Street music everywhere made everything right.
And then in a twinkling I heard a voice call
only one trip this year, that’s all?
The thoughts in my head were turning around.
Then it all came with nary a sound.
Measuring lizards is Molly’s research,
To find the answers she travels the earth.
With Mitchell her wingman, they’re on the go,
They’re not ones to live their lives too slow.
The K.U. Museum had lizards to view.
We joined her in Lawrence until she was through.
Lindsay did grad school, ‘twas really a grind,
We sent her to Philly to help her unwind.
Upon Molly and Mitchell, we all did descend,
And poor Pepper the cat, his peace to upend.
With all of us there, we did celebrate,
Christmas in July, regardless of date.
Now Lindsay’s a teacher in Stockbridge no less,
Her students now know, with her you don’t mess.
In all that she does, she’s one of the best,
She’s met every challenge when put to the test.
We’re proud of our gang, they’re doing great work
We travel to see them; from that we don’t shirk.
They’re all doing well, beyond all belief,
And we can rest easy. I thought with relief.
As I spring into bed, to our gang a salute
We’re pulling for you guys, that’s absolute
In peace I exclaim, as I fade from the light,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 