'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – Chapter 2
A Sunset Crater Christmas
By Pat Wenkus
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the hood
No one was sleeping, they were all up to no good.
Ma’s stockings were on, she’d done up here hair,
Going to a party – we just didn’t know where.
The children were in their homes, doing whatever they do,
They had no idea what their parents were up to.
And mamma in here jewelry and I looking quite fine,
Had just packaged up our bottles of wine.
When out on the drive a car made such a squeal,
I sprang to the door to see who was at the wheel.
Away through the courtyard I flew like a flash,
Anxious to see who was sitting at the dash.
The moon at its crest in the clear, dark sky
Gave the luster of midday to the overseeded rye.
When what do my widening eyes should I see
But a bunch of bubbly women in a large SUV.
With a bright-eyed driver, urging them on
I knew in a moment it must be Yvonne.
More chatty than ever her helpers they came
And she cajoled and directed and called them by name.
Now Linda! Now Mary! Now Barb and Patsy,
On Pam! On Claire, On Marilyn and Leslie.
To the back of the house! Up over the wall!
Now get to work! Get to work! Get to work all.
And then in a twinkling, I heard in the kitchen
Excitement and planning – not a single one bitchin’.
As I finally realized the party was to be here
In came Yvonne through the patio door at the rear.
She was dressed all for business from head to toe
Shouting directions on where all the things should go.
A bundle of stuff was backed up to the door
And the helpers began dumping it all on the floor.
Their eyes – how they twinkled! Their hair fixed and done,
Their cheeks all rouged, already having some fun.
Several bottles of wine were brought in the door,
At Bev-Mo you buy one and for a nickel get one more.
The stub of a pencil was stuck over her ear
She needed to write down all the directions they’d hear.
They all had bright faces and a mani and pedi
Shaking with laughter while getting the party ready.
They were swift and sure, a real capable bunch
It was obvious they knew how to work in a crunch.
As they winked at each other and nodded their heads
I knew in a moment they’d had their “happy pill” meds.
They laughed and they joked, but went straight to their work
And set all the tables, then turned with a jerk.
Cleaning up the mess they had left on the floor
They all grabbed their purses and ran out the door.
They jumped in the car, needed to change for the party
And away they all went, didn’t want to be tardy.
But I heard Yvonne exclaim ‘ere she put the car in gear
Merry Christmas Easy Diners, have another good year!
A Sunset Crater Christmas
By Pat Wenkus
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the hood
No one was sleeping, they were all up to no good.
Ma’s stockings were on, she’d done up here hair,
Going to a party – we just didn’t know where.
The children were in their homes, doing whatever they do,
They had no idea what their parents were up to.
And mamma in here jewelry and I looking quite fine,
Had just packaged up our bottles of wine.
When out on the drive a car made such a squeal,
I sprang to the door to see who was at the wheel.
Away through the courtyard I flew like a flash,
Anxious to see who was sitting at the dash.
The moon at its crest in the clear, dark sky
Gave the luster of midday to the overseeded rye.
When what do my widening eyes should I see
But a bunch of bubbly women in a large SUV.
With a bright-eyed driver, urging them on
I knew in a moment it must be Yvonne.
More chatty than ever her helpers they came
And she cajoled and directed and called them by name.
Now Linda! Now Mary! Now Barb and Patsy,
On Pam! On Claire, On Marilyn and Leslie.
To the back of the house! Up over the wall!
Now get to work! Get to work! Get to work all.
And then in a twinkling, I heard in the kitchen
Excitement and planning – not a single one bitchin’.
As I finally realized the party was to be here
In came Yvonne through the patio door at the rear.
She was dressed all for business from head to toe
Shouting directions on where all the things should go.
A bundle of stuff was backed up to the door
And the helpers began dumping it all on the floor.
Their eyes – how they twinkled! Their hair fixed and done,
Their cheeks all rouged, already having some fun.
Several bottles of wine were brought in the door,
At Bev-Mo you buy one and for a nickel get one more.
The stub of a pencil was stuck over her ear
She needed to write down all the directions they’d hear.
They all had bright faces and a mani and pedi
Shaking with laughter while getting the party ready.
They were swift and sure, a real capable bunch
It was obvious they knew how to work in a crunch.
As they winked at each other and nodded their heads
I knew in a moment they’d had their “happy pill” meds.
They laughed and they joked, but went straight to their work
And set all the tables, then turned with a jerk.
Cleaning up the mess they had left on the floor
They all grabbed their purses and ran out the door.
They jumped in the car, needed to change for the party
And away they all went, didn’t want to be tardy.
But I heard Yvonne exclaim ‘ere she put the car in gear
Merry Christmas Easy Diners, have another good year!