[JustAmy]

12-26-03



Well, so that is that
W.H. Auden

Well, so that is that. Now we must dismantle the tree,
Putting the decorations back into their cardboard boxes -
Some have got broken - and carrying them up to the attic.
The holly and the mistletoe must be taken down and burnt,
And the children got ready for school. There are enough
Leftovers to do, warmed up, for the rest of the week -
Not that we have much appetite, having drunk such a lot,
Stayed up so late, attempted - quite unsuccessfully -
To love all of our relatives, and in general
Grossly overestimated our powers. Once again
As in previous years we have seen the actual Vision and failed
To do more than entertain it as an agreeable
Possibility, once again we have sent Him away,
Begging though to remain His disobedient servant,
The promising child who cannot keep His word for long.

[JustAmy]

CHRISTMAS PAST

How joyous were those Christmas bells as merrily we smiled
So happy were the faces of every sweet young child
While men and women hurried, there was so much to be done
Before we each and everyone could settle down to fun

There were the happy carollers who blessed us with their songs
A tribute to The Holy Child from mortal happy throngs
So like the herald angels their voices loud and clear
They sang to us with love and joy, just as they do each year

Some pretty girls then came along with some quite handsome boys
To join us in our merriment, more substance to our joys
Needless to say that everyone was in a merry mood
Busy buying Christmas gifts, preparing Christmas food

Finally 'tis Christmas morning,
Children have waited for its dawning
Eager now to search the tree
To see what Santa left you see

Of course it helps if they have been good
Behaving as young people should
But then small faults are overlooked
With yuletide kindness we all are hooked

Sadly merry Christmas ends
the decorations put away
The lovely tree which served so well
is put aside has had its day

We all have had such jolly fun
the festive season now is done
The happiness cools down at last
When Christmas now becomes Christmas past

Frank Paylor
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
January 2, 1998

[Diver Dave]

Good Evening, Amy.
Clean-up has already begun. Early-bird shopping for Mrs.d in the morning while I've been delegated to stacking and storing all those plastic tubs filled with decorations. Think I'll wait for warmer, dryer days before removing the outside lights.
Only 11 months to go before we start putting up the decorations again. In the meantime, the days are starting to get longer and warm sunshine is but a few short weeks away. :) My neighbor's daffodils are already sprouting up through the ground.

[JohnHuang2]

Merry Christmas ((((((JustAmy!)))))))

[jkphoto]

Is that Mama_Bear after Christmas cooking?

Hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas!

[Trikebuilder]

Christmas Together

What does one say to food like unto the Gods themselves,
ambrosia, succulent feasts, drawn from human dreams.
Blending with comradeship, and laugher, and easy smiles,
adding the spice of life to already overladen tastebuds.
Paper bound surprises and wondrous discoveries,
amid a pile of paper floating to the floor in happy mindless litter.
Renewed and renewing, and offering unexpected paths to explore,
friendships and relationships sharpen and mature like a fine wine.
Finally time comes to say adieu, surprising hard, yet it must be,
if only to add the dimension of distance to sweeten the next meeting.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Friday ! Happy Boxing Day !!

Have a cup while you Freep !

[PGalt]

Glad your day was great, hard-working JustAmy. That nap was well deserved. Thanks for all of your great work.

[firewalk]

Good morning
Happy day after Christmas

[Temple Owl]

I hope your Christmas was a wonderful as ours and that you have an outstanding 2004.

[Billie]

LOL! Good morning, Amy. Your poem is so funny, and it's also more funny because that's sorta what I posted at the Finest this morning first thing. :)

Hope you had a wonderful day!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for the beautiful poem!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi everyone!!!

Differences Between Republicans and Democrats...

* Republicans say "Merry Christmas!" Democrats say "Happy Holidays!"

* Republicans help the poor during the holidays by sending $50 to the Salvation Army. Democrats help the poor by giving $50, one buck at a time, to panhandlers on the street.

* Democrats get back at the Republicans on their Christmas list by giving them fruitcakes. Republicans re-wrap them and send them to in-laws.

* Democrats let their kids open all the gifts on Christmas Eve. Republicans make their kids wait until Christmas morning.

* When toasting the holidays, Republicans ask for eggnog or mulled wine. Democrats ask for a "Bud."

* When not in stores, Republicans shop from a catalog. Democrats watch for "incredible TV offers" on late night television.

* Democrats do much of their shopping at Target and Wal-Mart. So do Republicans, but they don't admit it.

* Republican parents have no problem buying toy guns for their kids. Democrats refuse to do so. That is why their kids pretend to shoot each other with dolls.

* Republicans spends hundreds of dollars and hours of work decorating the yard with outdoor lights and Christmas displays. Democrats save their time and money, and drive around at night to look at *other* people's lights.

* Democrats' favorite Christmas movie is "Miracle on 34th Street." Republicans' favorite Christmas movie is "It's a Wonderful Life." Right-Wing Republicans' favorite Christmas movie is "Die Hard."

* Republicans always take the price tag off expensive gifts before wrapping. Democrats also remove price tags off pricey gifts ... and reposition them to make sure they are seen.

* Republicans wear wide red ties and green sports jackets during the festive season. Democrats do too, all year round.

* Most Republicans try, at least once, enclosing indulgent, wretchedly maudlin form letters about their families in their Christmas cards. Public ridicule from Democrats usually discourages them from doing it again.

* Democrats' favorite Christmas carol is "Deck the Halls." Young Democrats' favorite Christmas carol is "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." Republicans' favorite Christmas carol is "White Christmas." Young Republicans' favorite Christmas carol is "White Christmas."

* Cheapskate Republicans buy an artificial Christmas tree. Tight-fisted Democrats buy a real tree, but they wait until the week before Christmas when the lots lower their prices.

* Democrat men like to watch football while the women fix holiday meals. On this, Republicans are in full agreement.

* Republicans see nothing wrong with letting their children play "Cowboys and Indians." Democrats don't either, as long as the Indians win.

* Republicans first began thinking like Republicans when they stopped believing in Santa Claus. Democrats became Democrats because they never stopped believing in Santa Claus.