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Superstitions
December 16, 2024
by Chuck Parsons
group A
Trailblazers at Butcher Jones Beach. [photo by Norma]
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Randall is having a great time today. [photo by Norma]

In place of a standard trip report, let’s revisit an old holiday classic that many of us grew up with and came to cherish as children but may not have read or heard in a long, long time.

A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

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 my 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 a lustre of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer, With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he 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, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop 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 on 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 bowl full 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!

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While Chuck and Rudolf admire the scenery on the lake. [photo by Norma]
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Santa Bear keeps an eye on Randall and Chuck. [photo by Norma]
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Revisiting Willow Springs Canyon. [photo by Norma]
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A family of American Coots cruises among the reed beds. [photo by Norma]
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Randall by his Christmas garland adorned kayak. [photo by Randall]
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Santa Bear watches over Norma’s kayak. [photo by Randall]
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While Rudolph keeps an eye on Chuck’s kayak. [photo by Randall]
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Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona updated December 26, 2024
Comments? Send them to the AZHC .