CHRISTMAS EVE 2010

[Nasoosie]

CHRISTMAS EVE 1967

How cold it is outside tonight…
How crunchy, crispy cold.
A snow has fallen, soft and light,
Upon the fall of old.

The haloed moon above the pine
Gives snowy shapes below
A glistening, sparkly, silv’ry shine…
The very air’s a-glow.

The trees and shrubs are cased in rime…
The stately spruces proud;
The earth’s asleep this wintry time,
And stillness rings out loud.

What is it now for what I yearn
Alone this Christmas Eve,
As to the snow and ice I turn
From warmth of cabin eave?

As on my cabin porch I pause
To listen in the cold,
I ask the sky about the cause
Of wars--of hate--of getting old.

I ask the sky--I wonder why?
For what? No god I know…
Yet maybe out there secrets lie
That tell why life is so.

Perhaps an omen from the skies?
A sign this Christmas season?
Yet, here, before my eyes, it lies…
Defying depths of reason.

The rime-cased bush is deadly cold
A sprig of buds I borrow;
The swollen shells their promise hold---
The lilacs of tomorrow.

Susan Martineau--December 24, 1967


I know I posted this last year, and have used it ever since 1967 when I spent my first Christmas alone in my llittle log cabin at 40 degrees below zero. It is pathetic that I haven't written a Christmas poem that I have liked since that time! Perhaps this evening should be the time for me to construct or conjure up a new one. This one never fails to bring me back to that night, when I felt so at one with my surroundings, and so proud to be surviving in the deepest cold I had ever experienced to that point. I could be outside for just a few short minutes at a time, but it was spectacular out there with my breath freezing as I exhaled, and falling about me in my own snow shower! I kept that sprig of lilac buds for a long time until they finally just disintegrated. But the lilacs that June were extra special.

I am hoping for an enjoyable Eve time for all of us, regardless of where we might be. There will be gazillions of memories coursing through the night tonight, and we need to savor each and every one of them.

[flick4411]

Wonderful writing, Soos! As a newbie, I've never read it before, so thank you for reposting! And may I add that I, too, wish all y'all the very best of this day and tomorrow...

You are among the very best group of women I've ever met...how blessed am I for stumbling onto this site. Here's hoping that Santa's sleigh has your most favorite gift and that Rudolph's nose guides the way to your house.

Merry Christmas Ladies!!!

[Colliemom]

Beautiful Soos, just beautiful. I wouldn't worry about "updating" to a new one. This one tells it all. I can just picture the scene. And yes, 40 below is COLD. I've been in 32 below, so I know how cold it is. But a night like you wrote about is magical. And yes, there will be a flood of memories flowing tonight, all over. And not just here, but in other countries too. For those who celebrate Christmas will have memories of their own.

As for me this night, I will be home, doodling on this computr probably, will be on Chat with whomever is on and hopefully watching a movie. They are having a Christmas movie marathon on TV, but trouble is, they keep playing the same one over and over. You would think they would try to see how many they can get in on one night and how many we can stay up to watch.

But I will be heading out to the store in awhile here to pick up a few munchies for tonight and tomorrow. No big dinners here. I am tired of big dinners. Would rather munch on some poiish sausage, BBQ'd meatballs, shrimp and so forth. Can nibble when I feel like it. And maybe a special decorated Christmas cake for dessert. I did make some Butter cookies yesterday. Enough to munch on over the holidays and that's all. When Christmas is over, I've got to start that diet as I have been gaining weight since I've been off work and I know that physical work awaits in the spring. Want to be in shape by then. Might go to the gym and do strength training again. Even the "girls" are getting a little weight on from not being as active and we can't do long walks back in the woods like we usually do. Just a bit too much snow.

So, I am off to start my day. A Very Merry Christmas to you all.

[avalen]

Good morning ladies
Christmas Eve all ready?? I feel just a little bit speechless this morning, or maybe
its because I'm not awake yet and I'm tired and hungry. That'll be easily remedied
over the next hour but it will definitely be a busy day for me. A few errands to
take care of before I zip off to work this afternoon and get into that hustle and
bustle at the airport. The last two days were very busy ones with all the folks
trying to get their flights out for the holidays. It is so much fun to see everybodies
excitement and expectations.
Off to catch up and do some emails then move on about my day.
Happy Holidays to all.

[rvgrammy1953]

Good Christmas Eve Morning, all....Sunny, but a little chilly this morning, 28F, in east Georgia....not much going on until this evening when we'll host a Christmas Eve Weiner Roast for our campers here....have been doing some reflecting on Christmases Past and am smiling with all the sweet memories...will put the Christmas music on and busy myself with a little camp hosting business and ready things for tonight and tomorrow when we're having a Pot Luck. Hope this finds all here safe, healthy, and enjoying your Christmas, where ever you are....

Psssst........just put out some sweet rolls, OJ, coffee, and Christmas coffee cake for you all to enjoy.....help yourself...

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

[Readytogo]

Good Christmas Eve morning everyone! What an amazing wonderful froup of women I stumbled upon just playing with my computer one night! We are from all over the country (and Canada), in all occupations and professions, and at all different stages in our lives. Some of us travel fulltime far and wide in our Rvs, some of us just take short vacations and return home. We've seen each other through relocations, job searches and even redecorating projects! But what binds us together is our love for adventure and need to see what's around the next corner1 You've all given me confidence that I can carry on by myself this lifestyle my husband and I loved so much! Just waiting for kids to call about going out to breakfast, then one more trip to grocery store. This afternoon I'll probably go sit somewhrere and watch the madness, or maybe a movie. Just wanted to be one of the first to say.. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! From the Heart of Dixie, Wendy

[Redetotry]

Good Christmas Eve from here in Illinois where we are having a few snow showers. I'm also very glad to be a part of this forum and thankful for each and every one of you. I feel as though I could travel most any place and find a friend nearby, how blessed we are to have one another.
Winnie and I just shared a bowl of oatmeal I think that is her favorite of my breakfast items. Now she is banging on the pantry door, her signal that she is ready for her own breakfast.
I hope you all get your chores finished and have a wonderful evening.

[Readytogo]

PS, the weather is now wimping out on our Christmas snow! I was excited there for a minute. Its a novelty to us, somebody send me a snowflake

[dayspring39]

Good Morning my friends... Christmas eve day is here... It is sunny and cool here this morning... I wish you all a happy day and a Merry Christmas...
Kathleen

[BirdbyBird]

Merry Christmas from Charlotte. Daughter and SIL are getting the gear together and the three of us are heading out hiking with Hanna (her Golden) and Remi......don't anyone tell Herschel what he is missing. My friend (with 10 cats ) and her family is keeping Blondie, Izzy and H for me. Warm hats...check....gloves....check..... water bottles....check..... Everyone enjoy their day

[jemek]

Merry Christmas Eve everyone.
Soos your poem is great..Thank You so much for sharing it.

Well we had the wonderful White Thanksgiving...but seems we going to have a wet and green Christmas.

We have all been doing good and keeping busy.
It is nice to have a little down time during winter break.
I would rather have some snow days though. Some people wonder about my desire for snow. I love winter...I love snow..but I also like the fact that we can just hang out. I can cancel appts and people understand. I think in a way Snow Days are like mental health days....sometimes we just need to sit back and chill and enjoy nature. So since I can't camp in the winter..I long for my snow days.

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of my RV sistah's. I know I don't get here as often as I would like. But I do peak in her and read and keep up on things.

[Echo]

GOOD MORNING SISTAHS!!!

Soos that is a beautiful poem and if you can improve and update it I will kneel in homage to you!!!

Quiet here but the weather is beautiful. Oh glorious sunshine and blue skies how I love you!!! Temps are suppose to be in the low to mid 50's today. I am loving it!

Got to go get gas today for the truck and put some stuff in the gas tank. Called son David to pick his brain about the truck. We talked and he recommended I put in some stuff called 'Sea Foam'. It's a cleaner/enhancer/stabilizer and what all else that can be used in gas or diesel engines. Better be dang good stuff as it cost $10. The guy at NAPA also said it's terrific stuff. Son said to try that first because of all the rain we've had. Then if that don't work I am to change the fuel filter next. I have really got my hopes up BIG TIME that the sea foam stuffs works it's magic.

Ok, not much else to post about right now. Got to get my butt in gear. Go get gas, go to the store and to the lumber store to buy goop. Gonna be broke after I'm done today. Ended up spending $160 at the grocery store last night to restock the freezer, fridge and cupboards. Did really well with what we had bought and were given. Lasted a little bit over 2wks. And still had a couple of packs of meat in the freezer and stuff in the cupboards.

Hope everyone has a super fantastic Christmas Eve. Please be extra careful in all that you do and where ever you go.

Love to all

[mitch5252]

...

I wanted to wish each and every one of you A Very Merry Christmas, including Doofus, believe it or not.
This forum is home to a bunch of wonderful women and I am thankful, too, for having found you all.

Soos, I love your poem - not sure it could be improved upon, especially with the added history.

Everyone stay safe and warm and happy...

There's no place like home for the holidays (and we can't wait to hit the road tomorrow and get back there...)

...

[bluepinecones]

It would be difficult to improve on that poem, Soos. Thank you.

I too am very thankful to be part of this forum. I have been fortunate enough to meet a few of you face to face and hope to meet more over the coming year. I continue to enjoy getting to know you via your posts and count you among my friends whether or not we ever have the opportunity to meet other than electronically.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!