Conversation – 16

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

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 tiny 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!”

The End
by Clement Clarke Moore

Club Sheba Holiday Edition

@sheba2011

Good afternoon in Oz. Nice weather today, warmer and sunshine. Just finished wrapping two gifts, one for our mail lady and one for my old neighbors and their kids.🎁 No get togethers this year, just drop the gifts off on their porch and wave from the car.🖐 Waiting for new rules from the state that should be released today. It was announced yesterday that our governor has the virus.

Mom wanted to go out for Christmas eve dinner but I’m sure the restaurants are going to close again for indoor dining so we decided we will do takeout and bring home so no one has to cook. We did that back in March and April and it worked well.

I hope you finished decorating. Sit down, relax and admire your work.🥰🤗 Hugs to your home from ours!💖💝

Winter Wonderland
Song by Aretha Franklin

Sleigh bells ring are you listening?
In the lane snow is glistening
A beautiful sight; oh, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He’s singing a song as we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland
Well, in the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say, are you married? We’ll say no man
But you can do the job when you’re in town
Later on we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid of the plans that we made
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
We’ll pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say, “are you married?”, we’ll say, no, man
But you can do the job when you’re in town”
Later on, we’ll conspire
As we groove by the fire
To face unafraid, plans that we’ve made
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland

We Are All Connected

Being aware of the connection between all things can help you in terms of the broader effect you may be creating.

There are times when we may feel disconnected from the world. Our actions can seem like they are of no major consequence, and we may feel like we exist in our own vacuum. Yet, the truth is that our simplest thought or action — the decisions we make each day, and how we see and relate to the world — can be incredibly significant and have a profound impact on the lives of those around us, as well as the world at large. The earth and everything on it is bound by an invisible connection between people, animals, plants, the air, the water, and the soil. Insignificant actions on your part, whether positive or negative, can have an impact on people and the environment that seem entirely separate from your personal realm of existence. Staying conscious of the interconnection between all things can help you think of your choices and your life in terms of the broader effect you may be creating.

Think of buying a wooden stool. The wood was once part of a tree which is part of a forest. A person was paid to fell the tree, another to cut the wood, and yet another to build the stool. Their income may have had a positive effect on their families, just as the loss of the tree may have had a negative impact on the forest or the animals that made that tree their home. An encouraging word to a young child about their special talent can influence this person to develop their gift so that one day their inventions can change the lives of millions. A poem written “merely” to express oneself can make a stranger reading it online from thousands of miles away feel less alone because there is someone else out there who feels exactly the way they do.

Staying conscious of your connection to all things can help you think of your choices in terms of their impact. We are powerful enough that what we do and say can reverberate through the lives of people we may never meet. Understanding that you are intimately connected with all things and understanding your power to affect our world can be the first step on the road to living more consciously.

@kittengirl,

You are still in our hearts and prayers during this special time. God bless and stay safe
in California I hope the kitties are of comfort to you. 🌹

Cherie,

Good Morning in S. California. 😘💕I am wishing you and the kids a safe and joyful
Holiday Season. 🌹

@shoelady60,

Good afternoon in the burgh. 😘I hope this post finds you doing well. Tis The Season
and I think all your decorations are done. I am almost done. In my life there is always
something to do. 🤣

Give Jake a nice OZ hug from Poppy and I and we are wishing you a great day. 😘💕🌹
I know you miss all your family I know that better than anyone. Enjoy some tea with
your mom and sister weather permitting.

Love ya! 😘

@71flowerchild,

Happy Holidays in Texas. 😘Please be well and give hugs and pets to Jewell and Little D. 💕

@taci,

Good Morning in California. Taci your mother’s heart is in the right place. It would
concern me about her going out unless someone is with her. I understand she is
trying to make everyone feel better about the Covid-19. I pray this time next year
all this mess is behind us. 😘🌹Taci you have a good mother. 💕

Enjoy the view if you can and happy and safe trails to you. 💕

May your days be merry and bright. 🌹

@oodiebom,

Good Afternoon in Florida. 😘🌹💕This is the first night for Hanukkah. I understand
about the computer when the time is right you will be good to go.

I hope you and your husband have a lovely evening.

@ddshoppy,

Wishing you a great and safe day in S. California. 🌹 Enjoy the season.