'Twas the Night Before Christmas . . .

And all through the rig,
Not a creature was stirring,
Neither small nor big.















The lights in the campground
were strung with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas
soon would be there.



True to Texas style, Santa may be arriving in a somewhat different mode of transportation--a Mercedes Benz 170S, about 1950 vintage.

The campground's windmill and barn, the location of parties and dinners, were decorated with lights.

Kerrville's Courthouse (background, right) had a number of lighted figures on its lawn, including this snow man, which seemed to be hovering over the gazebo,

and stage coach, which was standing by should any problems occur with the sleigh or the Mercedes.

Every year as a child (and far into adulthood) growing up near Chicago, when asked what I wanted for Christmas, I sounded like Ralphie in the movie "A Christmas Story," reciting that he wanted "an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!" My request was for something much different and a lot rarer.

But I think Santa may grant my wish next year because as he flew off:







But I heard him exclaim,
Through a very wide grin,
"Happy Christmas to all,
Cubs Win! Cubs win!"

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas