It's Christmas Eve...

...and all is calm....downright sedate in fact.

But years ago, 'twasn't so...

...five sons made sure of that.

We trimmed the tree...

...while carols played, admiring Christmas lights.

We read about St. Nick's big trip...

...around the world that night.

We marveled as three Christmas Ghosts...

...gave Scrooge an awful fright.

And cheered his reformation,

O what a joyful sight!

Then off to bed if not to sleep...

...not much rest sublime.

I'd do it all again tonight...

...could I travel back in time.

But time and tide, so Chaucer wrote,

...for no man tarry they.

And now my sons, once little boys,

...have grown and moved away.

It's true this night has changed a bit,

...much calmer than before.

But now - as then - we celebrate...

...the advent of our Lord.

In spite of a snow storm to kick off the week, there will be no white Christmas this year...

...temps in the 50's have returned and there's nary a snowflake in sight.

kinda going the wrong direction

That’s fine with me...I'll swing my hickories for a while, then most of our children (and their kids) will gather with us over the next couple of days.

Lord willing, a good time will be had by all.

One that won't be with us...

Ryan, 1981 - 2021

...is my 2nd son Ryan;  he celebrates Christmas in heaven now.

I do so look forward to seeing him again, but for the time being that remains a pleasure denied.

Until the day of our happy reunion I soldier on, giving thanks to God in heaven for the gift of His Son and the chance to share another Christmas with loved ones here on earth.

I hope you do, too.

As Cole Porter opined musically so many years ago:

"You do

that voodoo

that you do

so's time to

23 Skidoo!"

(it's possible he may have tweaked the lyrics a bit on the <final version>)...

yes, he does have a water dish

"apple pie without some cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze"

apparently their mother never taught them it's impolite to stare

lowered the flag due to 40mph wind gusts, but Santa and his team weathered the storm without issue

As we close up shop at the Atomic Monster Cafe on this Christmas Eve, we leave you with our Christmas greetings:

Merry Christmas, mcm fans...