Twas the day before Christmas and all through the studio,
No wool loops were hooked as I thought about videos.
I should’ve been pondering Christmas blessings for one and all,
But looking outside makes one think thoughts Autumnal.
The landscape denies what the calendar knows,
We never have Christmases covered with snow
Our trees self-decorate with nature’s bright bounty,
Of course, please remember, that I live in Orange County.
The dog lays beside me in a wee little bed,
Padded with selvedges that pillow her head
She sleeps with no cares while I try be productive,
And wrestle with interruptions that prove quite disruptive.
It’s not the best time to be cinematically creative,
I should refocus, since this day is dated.
After all, twill be Christmas in just a few hours
Are there hookers in need of some special power?
And, on this topic, my head starts to ponder,
Which is also the same as a mind left to wander.
Tis the last day to send off hooks on their way,
And I don’t think we can count on Santa and sleigh.
However, if need be, there are alternate sources
To help hooking supplies wing through their courses
And, in a pinch, I could make a wee harness,
With wool worms and linen threads laying all round us.
(At last, a video topic upon which I should jump
on uses for good fiber destined to dump.)
While eight’s not enough & Rudolph’s not seen
For fill-ins, I bet,
I could muster sixteen
Replacements who’ll step in each of my traces,
To bring hooking cheer that will light up your faces.
But then, all my daydreams come crashing around
And reality sends both feet to the ground.
How in the world could such small carriers,
Fly round the world with its climactic barriers?
It’s silly to day dream, I’m almost embarrassed,
For spending the time that it takes me to share this.
But then … I remember … each of their names:
Fraser, Townsend, Bliss and Dufresne
Cambria, Atha, Norma the Clown
And a particularly fine shaded one called McGown
There’s Dip Dye and Mottle and the likeable Tweed
Who flies through the air with remarkable speed
On Gripper, On Pro Chem, On Dye Pot (the fellow)
And never forget Texas Rose, who’s quite yellow.
And, of course, out leading the pack,
Is the experienced bird known as Elizabeth Black.
With dependable names, success is no doubt
They’ll make each delivery that falls on their route.
Canada, Japan, England and the US,
To which they will speed in a line of the truest
Trajectory, … let me tell ya,
They’ll even be glad to fly to Australia!
So don’t listen for hoof beats & their noisy relations,
Nor place those sweet cookies at traditional stations.
(If you’re looking for something that is proper to leave,
They’ll really be happy with a small plate of seed.)
On Christmas Eve, whilst you lay on your beds
And visions of bent hooks dance in your heads
Yes, there’s a chance that your wish might come true
And every good hooking thing come right to you.
Don’t be afraid if outside there’s a flutter
If you’re quick and you listen, you just might hear them utter
This Christmas message, that they’ll loudly tweet
Wool rugs bring great warmth to all cold Christmas feet!
lucyrich98
December 24, 2009 at 5:48 am
Gene! What a fun version of “Twas the night before Christmas”. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this.
Merry Christmas to you and your flock.
I woke up to some Christmas snow this morning. There is nothing more magical that coming out of church Christmas Eve and having the snow gently floating down around us from heaven.
Lucy who will have visions of bent hooks dancing in my head tonight.
BillieJo
December 24, 2009 at 6:40 am
A prolific writer, artist and creator with so much that is wise and wonderful for the vast rug hooking community…Merry Christmas Gene. BillieJo
Liz
December 24, 2009 at 6:42 am
Wonderful adaptation. Thank you for bringing smiles and inspiration all year long.
Merry Chrismas to you and your family
Liz in Castleton where we have snow on the ground
jaNetMN
December 24, 2009 at 7:06 am
Merry Christmas Gene to you and your family. Thank you for all you do all year long. We have about 6″ of new snow out my window and within the next 2 days are to accumulate up to 22″. We are expected to break a 64 year record. It is times like this I miss California. It looks as though I am housebound until about Saturday. Just not safe to drive. Just have to wait until the plow can get here to dig us out. Good old Minnesota.
rugbug48
December 24, 2009 at 7:06 am
What a fun read, you of many talents! Take some time, Longfellow and have a beautiful, warm and Merry Christmas. Say a special “Howdy” to Texas Rose, she is the perfect yellow.
You brighten our days, Gene. Thank you!!!!!
Peace, Martha
ivi
December 24, 2009 at 8:52 am
Charming Gene! Have a great Christmas, everyone!
ruthie
December 24, 2009 at 10:00 am
Love your take on an old story. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Ruth in cold Albuquerque
Miccosukee
December 24, 2009 at 10:33 am
Gene,
What a wonderful way to come back to your blog after quite an absence to be treated with another example of your many talents.
As north Florida looks forward to a very stormy Christmas, may you and all yours enjoy the blessings of these days. Here’s to a much happier 2010!
trisha
MHalber
December 24, 2009 at 2:36 pm
What a wonderful entry — certainly made me smile.
Thank you. And, being new, I clearly have a few more terms to learn, since there were a few names for your birds that I didn’t recognize!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Michelle
MizT
December 25, 2009 at 10:12 am
Your creative posts and beautiful photographs brighten my days and warm my heart. I can picture a large basket filled with hooks and wool worms and rug hooking treasures. It is being pulled across the dark turquoise sky by a colorful flock of parakeets on a misson to deliver hooking goodies around the globe while Santa Gene enjoys the warmth of the California climate. Thanks for spending the time to write this poetic post.
Lauri
Arline Keeling
December 25, 2009 at 10:50 am
You have got to be the most creative person I have ever known and we keep learning more and more…Totally awesome…..You are one of my blessings that I thank God for every day……
Can’t wait to see what is next. I am going to cut some of your KFC 11 herbs and spices here shortly……..Roses like the ones in the Hookers Bible…..
V. Sharmay